When Alzheimer’s Gisborne first considered starting a fund with Sunrise, their Board of Trustees was understandably cautious due to a lack of funds. The turning point came with a generous bequest from the late Les McGreevy, a passionate Sunrise supporter.
After inviting Sunrise CEO, Glenda Stokes, to meet and answer questions, the committee’s decision was unanimous to seed their endowment fund with Les’s gift. That initial $50,000 has now grown to more than $80,000 thanks to investment income and donations, pass-through gifts, and the Craigs Investment Partners’ Christmas Giving Scheme, contributions that Manager Tracy Robinson believes they may never have received without Sunrise.
“We’re thrilled with the fund’s growth, but we need ongoing support to keep it building,” Tracy says. “It’s difficult to secure enough funding to support the work we do, as the need in our community is huge and growing.”
Beyond the financial side, Tracy would love to see more recognition and understanding of Alzheimer’s, helping to break down the stigma that is often associated with it. “People living with dementia have often led full lives and contributed so much to our community; we must remember and honour that.”
The Alzheimer’s Gisborne fund with Sunrise is helping secure their financial future, while also raising awareness of dementia locally. Every gift, no matter the size, helps Alzheimer’s Gisborne continue making a real difference.
“It’s always exciting to hear from Glenda each year about how the fund is progressing, and to know that the generosity of our supporters makes that possible,” says Tracy.
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