Dunk-A-Director fundraiser set June 21 at Landing of Poughkeepsie

The Landing of Poughkeepsie is planning an Alzheimer’s Awareness event to benefit The Alzheimer’s Association on Tuesday, June 21. Residents and staff will walk around the grounds and sell hand-crafted items, many of which will be purple in honor of Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month.

“Nearly a third of our vibrant senior community is comprised of residents who suffer from Alzheimer’s, dementia and other cognitive brain impairments, so we are committed to supporting them and their families in any way we can, including participation in The Longest Day event here,” said Carolyn Fielding, Director of Sales and Marketing at The Landing. “Residents in our Assisted Living and Memory Care communities are busy making simple beaded necklaces, bracelets and picture frames to sell at the event.”

Dunk-A-Director, a community drive-through dunking station, will be open to the public from 1-4 p.m. It will be manned by The Landing of Poughkeepsie directors, including Lifestyle Director Thomas Pepe, who came up with the concept. Participants can make a donation of $5 for three balls or $10 for eight, and refreshments will be available.

“Since our community is still following CDC protocols, we needed to find ways for resident and public participation while keeping everyone as safe as possible; the drive-by fun is a way to raise awareness as well as funds to support the Alzheimer’s Association,” Fielding said.

“We believe we can accommodate a flow of up to 120 ‘mobile supporters’ between 1-4 p.m.,” she added, noting they are planning to dress the community up in purple, including some purple foods.” Their fundraising goal is $1,600.

The Landing of Poughkeepsie, at 251 Boardman Road in Poughkeepsie, is accessible from Route 9, Spackenkill Road or Hooker Avenue, directly across from Poughkeepsie Day School. The facility’s long driveway can accommodate a flow of automobiles that snakes around the perimeter of the community past vendors, then exits onto Boardman Road.

“By this time next year, we hope to accelerate our fundraising potential as we are able to bring more people into the community and have more opportunity to do outreach directly,” Fielding said.

Donations to the Landing of Poughkeepsie’s team can be made here. Money raised by the event will go to The Longest Day, an Alzheimer’s Association fundraiser that encourages participants to create their own events to raise money. The event is named in honor of the long days spent by dementia caregivers caring for their loved ones. Efforts are celebrated on the summer solstice, the longest day of the year. Learn more about The Longest Day at alz.org/tld.

About the Hudson Valley Chapter

The Hudson Valley Chapter serves families living with dementia in seven counties in New York, including Duchess, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Sullivan, Ulster, and Westchester. To learn more about the programs and services offered locally, visit alz.org/hudsonvalley.

About the Alzheimer’s Association

The Alzheimer’s Association leads the way to end Alzheimer’s and all other dementia — by accelerating global research, driving risk reduction and early detection, and maximizing quality care and support. Its vision is a world without Alzheimer’s and all dementia. Visit alz.org.