By Heather Shadko My name is Heather Shadko. I grew up in the Midwest, just outside of Chicago, but I’ve been a resident of Puyallup, Wash., for 24 years. I’m a mother, wife and active member of my community. I work as a contract specialist for King County’s Department of Natural Resources and Parks, combining my passion for the environment and our community with my … Continue reading Honoring My Dad, My Hero: The Longest Day
Don Desonier became an Alzheimer’s Association volunteer after losing his wife, Nancy, to early-onset dementia. This year, he is participating in The Longest Day® in her honor. A woman of grace, beauty and limitless love Don’s wife, Nancy, was a professional flute performer and teacher, having graduated from UCLA with a degree in flute performance. Little did she know that her talent and love for … Continue reading My Journey in Honoring Nancy: The Longest Day
By Patti LaFleur, The Longest Day® participant My name is Patti. I am 35. I am a lover, I am a (former) Kindergarten teacher, I am a fantastic friend, a dog mom and a wife to my amazing husband. I wear my heart on my sleeve and I love sharing my journey with others. My husband, my mom, our two bull terriers (Dakota and Sitka) … Continue reading Finding and Sharing Love: The Longest Day
For The Longest Day in 2021, Lee Kranz of Newcastle, Wash. rode his e-bike along the Palouse to Cascades Trail in honor of his father, who passed away from Alzheimer’s disease in 1994. Continue reading Biking Across Washington: The Longest Day
Before this disease, Mom was a beautiful, strong and faithful woman with incredible intelligence and always so well put together. She was talented, creative, a great seamstress and baker. We had no idea when we started this journey that even lifetime skills and basic activities of daily living would be hard or not even doable with Alzheimer’s disease. Continue reading Memories of Mom: The Longest Day
Catherine Harrison grew up in the small town of St. Helens, OR with her parents and older sister. They had a view of Mount St. Helens from the picture window in their living room. This year for The Longest Day, Catherine will be hiking Mount St. Helens in honor of her mother. Continue reading Mount St. Helens for Mom: The Longest Day
I always knew about the Alzheimer’s Association, but I found about The Longest Day this summer through VolunteerMatch. For The Longest Day, I will be selling clothes on the Depop app in honor of my grandfather who is living with dementia. Continue reading Thrifting for good: The Longest Day
On June 20, 2020, 71-year-old Paul Hirsh will be paddling around Vashon Island in a 19ft kayak for The Longest Day. Paul is paddling in honor of his mother, who had Alzheimer’s, and his father, who was her primary caregiver. Paul lives in Gig Harbor, WA on Wollochet Bay. Paul and his wife Charlotte have three daughters and 10 grandkids. Paul grew up an athlete. … Continue reading Paddling the Sound: The Longest Day
By Lynxie Voorhees My name is Lynxie Voorhees and I am from Mukilteo, Washington. I am a senior at Kamiak High School and plan on attending Barnard College this coming fall. One of my passions in life is rowing. I discovered rowing through a friend who began rowing in college, and I decided to join the summer after my sophomore year of high school. I … Continue reading Rowing in honor of my dad: The Longest Day
We are all feeling the effects of being physically distanced from our family, friends, colleagues and teammates during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Longest Day is a wonderful opportunity to come together virtually, share in a joyful activity and make a difference in the lives of people impacted by Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. The Longest Day is the day with the most light — the summer … Continue reading 25 Ways to Fundraise from Home for The Longest Day
