#Gift2Giving Donation - Dementia Friendly Community Initiative

A Meaningful Donation to Dementia Friendly Community Initiative in Memory of My Mother

Journal Entry by Lisa Galvan - CSB Document Imaging Specialist

Each year CSB provides us, their employees, with the opportunity to donate $150 to a local organization that inspires us. Last year I was introduced to a wonderful organization in Walworth County that supports families and individuals dealing with dementia and alzheimer's, a cause very near and dear to my heart. For this reason myself and three other employees are very pleased to present a $520 donation to Dementia Friendly Community Initiative (DFCI) - Walworth County.

Dementia is such a cruel disease where it affects not only the person with the disease, but also their caregivers. Donating to DFCI - Walworth County means a great deal to me as my family and I know this all too well. My mom, Peg Nelson, was diagnosed with Posterior Cordial Atrophy, a rare form of dementia and she passed away after a fairly quick but painful battle at the age of 63. If given the opportunity to take advantage of the benefits that DFCI provides to local families, I'm sure she would've enjoyed it immensely.

DFCI provides free training to business, agencies, and churches to create dementia-friendly spaces and promote dementia awareness throughout the community. This wonderful organization is led by wife-husband duo, Bernadette and Eric Russo. They were compelled to head up DFCI - Walworth County after losing Bernadette's father to dementia.

DFCI - Walworth County also sponsors Cycling Without Age, an interactive program where trained pilots provide rides to adults with dementia and Alzheimer's disease on electric-powered rickshaws. These cycles accommodate two adults who will have a joyous outdoor experience with wind in their faces and an opportunity to recall the joy of mobility.

The services and opportunities that DFCI offers to local families is incredible. So incredible, that Bernadette (pictured with me on the right) was recognized this year as Visit Lake Geneva's Rising Star Award recipient. Thank you DFCI, Bernadette, and Eric for all that you do.

CSB Employees Participating in this #Gift2Giving Donation: Lisa Galvan, Denise Engelhardt, Shelly Petrick (personal donation), Anonymous Personal Donation

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