Giving Challenge 2024 is almost here, and it is the most extensive fundraising event for the Aphasia Community Center, Inc. The Giving Challenge takes place on April 9 and 10, 2024. The Community Foundation of Sarasota County sponsors this 24-hour event beginning at noon on April 9th. The Patterson Foundation matches all online donations between $25 and $100 made by different donors. Over 800 not-for-profit organizations take part in the Giving Challenge.
The last Giving Challenge took place in 2022. The Aphasia Community Center used the funds raised to further our mission to serve individuals and families affected by aphasia.
Highlights Since 2022
Programming:
- Your previous donations allowed us to provide all classes free to persons with aphasia.
- The ACC has increased the number, frequency, and types of classes available. In addition, we added two new speech-language pathologists and a local artist to teach classes.
- In 2023, the Aphasia Community Center provided more than 144 FREE class hours for people with aphasia. The classes included Augmentative & Alternative Communication, Computer Apps, Game Time, Pizza & Game Night, Reading Group, Sports Talk, and Math 4 Daily Living.
Membership:
- Our membership has increased by twenty-two new members since 2022.
Outreach:
- The ACC has held two community events to increase aphasia awareness.
- The ACC hosted two outreach dinners to increase aphasia awareness.
- We partnered with Sarasota Memorial Hospital to develop and offer a Peer Mentor program for newly diagnosed people with aphasia. The Peer Mentors have already met with thirty patients.
What will my donation provide in 2024?
For 2024, the Aphasia Community Center aims to raise $17,000. We will use this money to:
Programming:
- Add support staff for new programming.
- Add more free group classes, such as Art Class, Writing Group, Movement and Meditation, or Chair Yoga.
- Add equipment, materials, and supplies to support the new group classes. Items could include iPads, speech therapy apps, and other classroom supplies.
- Add and expand co-survivor services. An example is to start a group called the Kinship Program, which will offer support, suggestions, and services to co-survivors and caregivers of persons with aphasia.
- Develop a program to provide services to people with primary progressive aphasia who have special needs above what the ACC is currently offering.
Membership:
- Continue to grow our membership through speaking engagements, marketing, and networking.
Outreach
- There are three community outreach dinners planned for 2024. In addition, we would like to add regular socialization dinners.
- The ACC is actively involved in speaking engagements designed to inform the public about aphasia and the Aphasia Community Center.
How can I help and show my support?
Join us at the Aphasia Community Center for a Giving Challenge Kick-Off on Tuesday, April 9th, from 11:30 am – 1:30 pm. You can donate in person, meet friends, and enjoy light refreshments. Location: 2185 Wood Street, Suite #5 (on the Concordia Lutheran Church campus.)
You can also donate online from noon on April 9th to noon on April 10th. Go to our website at www.AphasiaSarasota.org and click the Giving Challenge Donate button. Another way to donate is to go to GivingChallenge.org and look for the Aphasia Community Center.
The Aphasia Community Center would like to thank you for considering taking part in the 2024 Giving Challenge. Your gift will help rebuild the lives of people affected by aphasia in our community. Please share this message with others and ask them to join our campaign.
