The event raised more than $250 dollars for the Society, dubbed by Lydia Swant as one of the home’s most important community partners.

“We work very closely with them,” says Swant, Resident and Family Services Coordinator.

“The event was also important from a community relations perspective – many of the attendees were volunteers and a number of residents brought family members out. It was a well-rounded group.”

The Alzheimer Society of Chatham-Kent offers regular in-services for staff and volunteers, and both paid staff and volunteers work one-on-one with residents who are in different stages of the disease. A number of volunteers come in to assist home staff at meal times, says Swant.

The most recent in-service – on the issue of elder abuse – was facilitated by Meghan Mackay-Barr, social worker, who has multiple clients in the 97-bed home.

“It’s very important for people in the community to be aware of these type of partnerships – we want to be proactive on this,” says Swant.

Diners who attended the event were treated to a transformed dining hall, decorated as a 70’s period piece Italian restaurant, with glowing candles, red and white checkered tablecloths and quiet mood music. Home management prepared pasta sauces and served tables for each of the evening’s three seatings.

“It was unbelievable,” says Swant, who points out that the nominal fee - $5 – was likely too low. “The only negative feedback we got was that we should have charged more in order to raise more funds!”

Meadow Park Auxiliary - a volunteer group that raises funds for special events for the residents – also participated in the fundraiser, holding their own draw at the close of the evening. The group is comprised of nine female volunteers, who devote their time to residents and pour any funds raised back into programming.