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
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
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
By Sherry Clarke My name is Sherry Clarke and I’m from Lake Tapps, Washington (about an hour south of Seattle). I’m a born-and-raised Washingtonian and have lived in the Lake Tapps area for about 13 years with my husband and two kids, ages 6 and 4. I’m a stay-at-home mom and a freelance graphic designer. This year for The Longest Day, I am running for … Continue reading Running for Wayne: 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
Janet Callahan lives in Edmonds, Wash. with her husband and son, “The Nicks,” (also known as Nick and son Nicholas) and their two chubby cats. In January 2020, Janet joined the Alzheimer’s Association Washington State Chapter as The Longest Day Coordinator. Janet came to the Alzheimer’s Association through “total serendipity.” While attending a Journey Dementia Family Caregiver Conference in November with her father, she happened … Continue reading Janet Callahan: The Longest Day Coordinator
Laurie Lee Lewis is a self-described “whirlwind” of a woman. Besides being a farmer, songwriter, musician, author and philanthropist, she has also been the primary caregiver for both of her parents the past four years. This year, Laurie is celebrating her birthday and honoring her father with a celebration on her farm for The Longest Day on June 21. Her parents, Jack and Darlene Little, … Continue reading Farmer, Musician, Caregiver: The Longest Day
