Fundraiser for "Dosi-Do" Fund April 22 at Newbury Place in Southbury

From 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Friday, April 22, 15% of all purchases made at Newbury Place in Southbury referencing the “Dosi-Do” Fund will be donated directly to the Fund. The Fund was founded by Southbury resident Kathie Nitz in the name of her 89 year old mother Doreen Phillips, nicknamed “Do”.

Administered by the Connecticut Community Foundation in Waterbury, Nitz’s ambition for the “Dosi-Do” Fund is to encourage local area non-profits to, “Provide opportunities to bridge generations through meaningful inter-generational programs, interactions and conversations with an emphasis on programs for family caregivers to help promote better understanding and create memorable moments everyone involved can treasure forever.”

Kathie Nitz is a professionally-trained life and relationship coach, certified senior advisor, creator of Caring Cards®, and, most importantly, a caregiver to her mother who lives with dementia. “Several years ago,” Nitz explains “I came up with the idea to establish a charitable fund in my mother’s honor as my way of preserving her legacy of resiliency and generosity. My mother had a very difficult childhood. Then throughout her adult life she encountered life-changing challenges, including becoming a caregiver to her own mother with dementia, and then being widowed in midlife. Through it all, she maintained a generous and resilient spirit which I have always respected and admired. She never gave up and always helped those less fortunate even when she had very little herself.”

Nitz recalls, “When I first told my mom about my idea to create the Fund, before her dementia had progressed to its current state, she put her hand to her heart and exclaimed with a huge smile, "I never thought I'd be in a position to do something like that!" My vision of establishing a charitable fund in her honor while she is still alive aligned beautifully with my loving creation of Caring Cards that was inspired by my journey as her caregiver.”

Caring Cards is a deck of cards containing 54 questions that help evoke memorable conversations between seniors, adults and young people. “Caring Cards,” states Nitz, “help bridge generations through conversations. The cards present memory-stimulating gentle questions that can be asked of a senior by an adult, teen or child to help create bonding conversations and meaningful memories. They can also add a lot of fun to mealtimes with family and friends, travel time, holiday gatherings, reunions, even as ice breakers at conferences and corporate team building events.

I’ll never forget the first time I tried my Caring Cards out on my mom. As I left her at her assisted living apartment, she said with a big smile “I felt so included today!” I realized that, rather than just tagging along in my life while running errands, I had tapped into hers. I could tell she felt heard and valued. It was all the encouragement I needed to move forward with my idea.”

Nitz lovingly states, “My favorite card in the deck is “How do you know if someone loves you?” I’ll remember my mom’s response forever. She said “That’s easy! You feel it!” I asked her what it felt like and she answered “It’s warm and soft!” It really touched my heart then and means even more to me now that my mom is unable to respond in this way given the progression of her dementia.

The playful name "Dosi-Do” Fund, Nitz explains, has sentimental origins. Her dad, Ed, affectionately called her mom Doreen "Do" until he passed away too soon. After Nitz married, her husband, Steve, lovingly called his mother-in-law "Dosi-Do" or "Dosi" for short. To this day, even through the fog of her dementia, Doreen's face lights up when Steve calls her “Dosi”. For Nitz, it simply seemed natural and appropriate for the charitable fund to be named in a way that brings joy to Doreen while also lovingly recalling husband/father Ed.

During the April 22 fundraiser at Newbury Place (www.newburyplace.com), located at 41 Oak Tree Road in Southbury, patrons who want to donate to the “Dosi-Do” Fund should reference the charity when they make their purchases between 9:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m., and Newbury Place will generously donate 15% of the purchase total to the Fund. Caring Cards will also be available for purchase that day.

Those unable to attend the fundraiser, and would like to make a donation to the “Dosi-Do” Fund, can do so at any time via the Connecticut Community Foundation website using the Fund’s link https://donatenow.networkforgood.org/dosi-do. Donations can also be U.S. Mailed via a check payable to Connecticut Community Foundation with “Dosi-Do” Fund in the memo line. The mailing address is 43 Field St., Waterbury, CT 06702. Donors can also call the Foundation at 203-753-1315 x112 to speak with donor services officer Cynthia Merrick.

For every donation made to the “Dosi-Do” Fund on the CCF’s website between April 22 and Mother’s Day, May 8, Nitz will donate one set of Caring Cards to the CT Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association for use in their local support groups and other events.

As a certified senior advisor, life and relationship coach, Nitz skillfully helps her clients navigate life transitions including eldercare challenges with their eyes and heart wide open. She is also a highly-respected and sought-after nationwide speaker who is known to inspire audiences with her authentic and engaging style in sharing stories, ideas and tools for motivation, empowerment and transformation.

Nitz’s Caring Cards sell for $9.95/deck plus shipping from www.caringcards.com. For more information, visit www.kathienitz.com or call Kathie Nitz directly at 203-578-5244.