Alzheimer Society challenges people to spread kindness, raise money
Kindness means the world to someone with Alzheimer's Disease and other forms of dementia, according to Timmins caregiver Claude Martel.
His wife, Shirley, is in long-term care with dementia and he said kind gestures form friends and family help brighten her day.
"They had a group of women that used to meet all the time, they go out for supper," said Martel of one of his wife's favourite activities.
"Then they kept on doing that, just the same, and she loved that."
Small acts like that can bring anyone joy, according to the Alzheimer Society, which is why it is hoping people spread kindness around their communities over the month of January during its "Quest for Kindness" fundraising campaign.
The campaign involves making at least one act of kindness for someone each day, for 30 days, explained the executive director of the organization's Timmins-Porcupine chapter, Tracy Koskamp-Bergeron.
"Everybody needs kindness, especially now more than ever," Koskamp-Bergeron said.
"We've all been isolated at home, which is something that people living with dementia suffer from on a regular basis."
An act of kindness can be anything from shovelling a neighbour's driveway, buying someone a cup of coffee or even giving someone a compliment, she said.
Participants log each kind act they complete on the campaign's website — between January 1 and 29 — all the while encouraging friends and family to sponsor the journey.
The money raised helps fund Alzheimer Society programs that serve people with dentists and their caregivers, like education about dementia, counselling and social recreation.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'Still so much love between us,' Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
What to know about avian influenza in dairy cows and the risk to humans
Why is H5N1, or bird flu, a concern, how does it spread, and is there a vaccine? Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions about avian influenza.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
opinion The special relationship between King Charles and the Princess of Wales
Royal commentator Afua Hagan writes that when King Charles recently admitted Catherine to the Order of the Companions of Honour, it not only made history, but it reinforced the strong bond between the King and his beloved daughter-in-law.
Pro-plastic lobbyist presence at UN talks is 'troubling,' say advocates
Environmentalist groups are sounding the alarm about a steep increase in the number of pro-plastic lobbyists at the UN pollution talks taking place this week.
'Too young to have breast cancer': Rates among young Canadian women rising
Breast cancer rates are rising in Canada among women in their 20s, 30s and 40s, according to research by the University of Ottawa (uOttawa).
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
$70M Lotto Max winners kept prize a secret from family for 2 months
During a special winner celebration near their hometown, Doug and Enid shared the story of how they discovered they were holding a Lotto Max ticket worth $70 million and how they kept this huge secret for so long.
Courteney Cox says her partner Johnny McDaid once broke up with her in therapy
Courteney Cox's longtime partner Johnny McDaid once broke up with her in a therapy session.