Alzheimer’s Committee

Alzheimer’s Chair

Eleanor Kaul has volunteered to take over the Alzheimer’s Chair for the MD Federation.  Her contact information is as follows:

Eleanor Kaul
Donations should be sent to:
8934 Executive Club Drive,
Delmar, MD 21875-2366
Telephone: 410-896-4354 

Alzheimer’s Stamp

The Frederick News Post (FNP) has a front page article about the new Alzheimer’s Postal Stamp that was approved after years of  effort by Kathy Siggins (Chapter 409).  Once the stamps are printed in the next month or so, ask at your local post office to purchase the stamps.  The funds will go to DHHS to support Alzheimer’s research.   The article can be found at:  FNP, Kathy Siggins.

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Alzheimers Update
Composed for the MD Federation Winter 2013 Newsletter by
Barbara Jacobs, Chairman, Alzheimer’s Committee, Maryland Federation

     Every Chapter should have an Alzheimer’s Coordinator. A copy of the Chapter Alzheimer’s Coordinator’s Manual can be downloaded from the National NARFE website. This is a handy tool you can use to help you get your collections sent in correctly, with no problems. It is an easy procedure to follow.

     Chapter members can make a tax-deductible contribution to support Alzheimer’s research. Checks should be made payable to “NARFE Alzheimer’s Research” and given to the chapter Alzheimer’s coordinator. The chapter will then forward it to the Federation Alzheimer’s Chairman Barbara Jacobs who sends all donations/gifts to the Alzheimer’s Association in Chicago, to be included in NARFE’s Fund. This procedure ensures that both the chapter and the Federation will have accurate records of donations, and enables the Alzheimer’s Association to process the donations quickly and efficiently.

     You will receive an acknowledgement for tax deduction; however, your checks must have a name and address in order to receive an acknowledgment from the Alzheimer’s Association.

     Memorial gifts should also be sent through the chapter coordinator to the Federation Chairman, as above. The Federation Chairman (not the Alzheimer’s Association) will send an acknowledgment of the donation to the family of the deceased, upon request. Anyone can make a memorial or honor gift to the NARFE Alzheimer’s Fund, including non-members.

     Chapter officers with questions about how the program operates (handling donations, memorial gifts and acknowledgments, or ordering materials for special events) may contact me and I will do my best to help you.

 History of NARFE’s Involvement with Alzheimer’s Disease

     NARFE members have played a role in seeking a cure for Alzheimer’s Disease since 1985.  NARFE supported Alzheimer’s Disease Research officially at the New Mexico Federation of Chapters Board Meeting on June 11, 1983.  The New Mexico Federation was the first NARFE contributor to Alzheimer’s Research.

     In 1985-86, the NARFE National Executive Board approved funding Alzheimer’s Disease through contributions from chapters.  The goal of $500,000 for Alzheimer’s Research grants was set.  President Lud Andolsek’s memo to all State Federations stated that: each Federation President appoint a State Coordinator and each chapter appoint an Alzheimer’s Chair.

     In 1987-88 the first National Alzheimer’s/NARFE Control Committee was appointed.  The first meeting of the Control Committee was held with ten members each representing their Region.  The first $500,000 check was presented to the Alzheimer’s Association in 1988.  The first research grant sponsored by NARFE was awarded in 1988. 

     The years from 1988-1991 proved successful in raising funds for Alzheimer’s Research grants.  The first million dollars included all the fundsraised since 1985.  At this time, NARFE was committed to the Alzheimer’s Research program and began the serious business of setting goals to attain more dollars for research.

    In 1991, NARFE signed on with the Zenith Fellows Program, the Alzheimer’s Association most distinguished donor program.  A pledge was made to raise $1 million in 10 years.  This goal was met in less than five years (August 1995).  The research grants selected by NARFE continue to grow each year as new goals are set.

    In 1995, another goal was set called “Target 2000” – contribute another $1 million by the year 2000.

    In September of 1998, a worthy goal of $5 million by 2005 was established with a unanimous vote by the delegates at the National Convention in Orlando, Florida.  This goal made history with completion in June 2003 – 2 1/2 years ahead of schedule.

     In 2003, a new goal of $7 million was recommended by the National Committee at their 2003 Annual Meeting.  That goal was met in July 2007.

     In 2006 during the National Convention in Albuquerque, New Mexico, with the Committee’s anticipation that the $7 million would be met in 2007, they recommended to the convention delegation that a new goal be set at $8 million with no slogan or time frame.  The delegation approved.  The $8 million goal was met in February 2009.

     In 2008 during the National Convention in Louisville, Kentucky, again with the Committee’s anticipation that the $8 million goal would be met before the 2010 National Convention, the committee recommended to the convention delegation a new goal of “$9 million by NARFE’s 90th Birthday.”  Again the delegation wholeheartedly approved. The $9 million goal was met during the first month of 2011.  Members raised the $1 million in 23 months.

     In 2010 during the National Convention in Grand Rapids, Michigan, the committee recommended to the delegation a new goal of $10 million by 2012.  Again the delegation approved.

     In 2012 during the National Convention in Reno-Sparks, Nevada, with the Association’s goal of raising $10 million in 2012 within reach, Jane Rodgers, chair of the NARFE-Alzheimer’s National Committee, gained overwhelming approval from delegates for a new national goal of $11 million in 2014.  The $10 million was met in November 2012.

     As of Sept. 30, 2013 the NARFE fundraising total is $10,501,105.98.

     As of Oct. 10, 2013 NARFE has funded a total of 60 researchers since the program was officially started in 1985.

    The Federation and I thank all chapters that do contribute, and I want to stress to you how important it is for all chapters to participate in giving contributions to Alzheimer’s.

Portions of this article are borrowed from Jane Rodgers, Alzheimer’s Chairman.
Barbara  Jacobs

Past Chair, Alzheimer’s Committee

Updated on 10/12/2019