St. Lawrence
 

Alzheimer benefit square dance raises $15,000 for respite care

Posted Feb 2, 2012 By Jill Hudson


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Ruth Kitson, CPHC executive director square-danced with square dance caller Bob Summers at the 23rd annual Square-Dance benefit dance, to support the Community and Primary Health Care (CPHC) on Jan. 22. Kitson was a great sport - the caller wanted guests to have a chance to try square dancing and he would not take no for an answer! The event raised $3,000 for respite care - a private donation of $2,000 plus another donation of $10,000 puts the total amount raised to $15,000.
Jill Hudson, St. Lawrence EMC
Ruth Kitson, CPHC executive director square-danced with square dance caller Bob Summers at the 23rd annual Square-Dance benefit dance, to support the Community and Primary Health Care (CPHC) on Jan. 22. Kitson was a great sport - the caller wanted guests to have a chance to try square dancing and he would not take no for an answer! The event raised $3,000 for respite care - a private donation of $2,000 plus another donation of $10,000 puts the total amount raised to $15,000.
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The 23rd annual square dance benefit to support CPHC was held at the MERC centre on Jan. 22. Between private donors and money raised through the event $15,000 was raised. From left, Patti Lennox, supervisor of caregiver support services, Ruth Kitson, CPHC executive director, Elizabeth Wollaston, President of the GoodTime Squares square dance club in Brockville, Jim Little, Dorothy Tweed, one of the callers, and Bob Summers - who did the majority of the square dance calls during the event.
Jill Hudson, St. Lawrence EMC
The 23rd annual square dance benefit to support CPHC was held at the MERC centre on Jan. 22. Between private donors and money raised through the event $15,000 was raised. From left, Patti Lennox, supervisor of caregiver support services, Ruth Kitson, CPHC executive director, Elizabeth Wollaston, President of the GoodTime Squares square dance club in Brockville, Jim Little, Dorothy Tweed, one of the callers, and Bob Summers - who did the majority of the square dance calls during the event.
EMC Lifestyle - Community and Primary Health Care might be dancing a little jig thanks to a recent fundraiser.

Brockville-based GoodTime Squares hosted its 23rd annual Square-Dance benefit dance, to support the Community and Primary Health Care (CPHC) Alzheimer outreach program, at the Maitland Educational and Recreation (MERC) hall on Jan. 22. The combined money raised through the dance and donations is $15,000. The event itself, which attracted 175 dancers, raised $3,000 plus one donation from a private donor for $2,000 and another donation of $10,000.

Dancers moved to music which ranged from ole style country to Michael Jackson - beginner level to advanced (called plus level). Participants kept up to the caller - some moves looked tricky - or at least the combination of the moves. The youngest person there is a 22-year-old square-dance enthusiast and the oldest will be turning 89-years-old in February.

The event attracted members from 22 square dance clubs to support the cause and enjoy their pastime.

"They come from as far west as Kingston, as far north as Pembroke, as far east as Cornwall and Canton, New York (to the south) and all points in between," said Elizabeth Wollaston, president of the GoodTime Squares.

She said the fundraiser was started by a member whose husband had Alzheimer disease.

"Lea Ormerod was an avid square dancer with the GoodTime Squares and was the driving force behind the organization of this event," explained Wollaston. "The CPHC Alzheimer Outreach Program supported Lea when she cared for her husband Tom who had Alzheimer's. She always said, "The program was a Godsend. It was wonderful."

She first asked the GoodTime Squares to hold the benefit dance back in 1989. Even after her husband passed away in 1991, Lea and the GoodTime Squares continued to support the program."

Wollaston stated that respite services are important to provide a break for the caregiver.

"That's really important because some of these people who are dealing with Alzheimer - they have a partner or whatever - they are on duty 24/7 for 365 days a year," she said. She said the respite time is vital for the caregiver. "They can get a little bit of time to not worry and they can go shopping, they can go for a coffee. It is very important."

She said the people who do the respite work are specially trained to work with people who have Alzheimer.

Patti Lennox, the supervisor of caregiver support services, which includes respite care, has been at her role for 14 years.

"(We) find that if caregivers don't get respite time they will burn out," said Lennox.

She noted the event has raised more than $75,000 over the years.

Ruth Kitson, CPHC executive director, attended the event. She said that last year enough money was raised to provide 92 hours of respite care.

"Most people have somebody who has Alzheimer or some kind of dementia - and anyone that has it - it puts a strain on the family," said Kitson in a separate interview with the EMC. The fundraiser included a 50-50 draw - Kitson won - and put the money right back into the cause.

The release about the event states caregiver support, with the Alzheimer Outreach Program, began serving the residents of Lanark, Leeds & Grenville in 1989. This program assists the client, the caregiver and their families and offers a variety of services tailored to each individual's particular needs. Services the program offer include in-home respite, adult day services, music & memories luncheon, support groups, caregiver special events, caregiver support, information, education, training and counselling.

Wollaston said 75 door prizes were provided by local businesses, GoodTimes members provided the food, McDonald's provided orange drink and M&M's provided the water.




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