2025 Holiday Campaign

My mom, Eileen, was a great cook and baker who could orchestrate a piping hot meal with skill and ease. Her homemade stuffing was one of the ways she made the holidays special, and I craved her creamed lobster on pastry shells. In the winter you could count on clam chowder, baked beans, and fish cakes.

She was happiest when our house was filled with people: family and friends who were made to feel welcome with a homecooked meal and lots of laughter.

As a child I loved snuggling with my mom in the armchair, learning to read or watching holiday specials. There was an abundance of tight hugs and great conversations. Most importantly, I knew that my mom was proud of me and would always be there for me.

So, when Mom was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2016, there was no question I was going to be there for her.

This is also why I’m reaching out to you today. I could not have provided my mom with the understanding and care she deserved without the support from the Alzheimer Society of York Region (AS York) and donors like you. Thank you. I’m hoping that by sharing my family’s story, you will be inspired to continue giving to support the life-changing programs at AS York.

After my dad died, my mom spent winters in Newmarket with my husband Michael, our two girls, Sarah and Emma, and I. My mom was otherwise lonely living in Nova Scotia, so when we asked her to live with us, she jumped at the opportunity.

Moving in with my family helped us both: I could keep teaching while my mom enjoyed cooking dinner for us and spending time with the girls walking them to and from the bus stop.

When she was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, I was in denial. Her disease progressed slowly, and with the help of my husband and brother, I felt we were managing. The changes were subtle, so it was easy to adapt to them.

Then one day she couldn’t find her way home after a snowfall. She returned to the wrong house and the person living in that house contacted the police, who then brought my mom home. The police officer was very clear that this will happen again, and we needed to have a safety plan in place.

That’s when I reached out to AS York. A First Link Navigator sent me information and assured me that the team at AS York would be with us every step of the way.

This caring and knowledgeable team quickly became my lifeline. They helped me understand what lay ahead for us as mom battled this progressive and fatal disease.

I joined a support group, connecting with people who listened without judgement. It was through this group and the guidance of my social worker that I realized I wasn’t alone, that AS York was there to support my family.

You can help other caregivers benefit from the same circle of support and care.

Your gift today will be matched by the George C. Hunt Family Foundation. That means your gift will have an even greater impact for families who need support groups, caregiver education, counselling sessions, and the D.A.Y. program.

When my mom joined the D.A.Y program in Aurora, it gave me the break I needed. The staff were welcoming, patient, and kind, and I knew my mom was in safe hands. It gave me peace of mind knowing that

I could go to work and mom was surrounded by people who truly cared for her.

My mom, Eileen Howatt, passed away in 2022 after a six-year battle with Alzheimer’s disease.

At the time I didn’t know what to do with myself. I began to realize how tired I was and how much time I spent caring for my mom. I couldn’t have done it without the team at AS York and caring donors like you.

That’s why your gift is so important.

Like me, other caregivers turn to AS York for help and your gift makes it possible for them to get the support they need. It’s why I continue to share my story. I want to remind other caregivers they are not alone. I tell them to ask for help and to connect with AS York as soon as possible.

Please consider a gift to the Alzheimer Society of York Region today to help fund these vital programs. They are a lifeline for families impacted by dementia, families like mine.

And remember, thanks to the generosity of the George C. Hunt Family Foundation, your gift will have double the impact!

Jane Kennedy

P.S. Thank you for reading my story and for donating to the Alzheimer Society of York Region. Your act of generosity is making a difference.

*Donations up to $60,000 will be matched by The George C. Hunt Family Foundation