Looking forward to Thanksgiving next week and then the holiday season, it is a good time to give thanks to our families and the people close to us.
I’d like to extend my thanks to all employees, members, volunteers, sponsors, donors and the community who contribute to the success of The Dale Association.
And, on behalf of The Dale and all charitable organizations in our community, thank you for your kindness and seemingly endless generosity this past year.
The end of the year is a good time to look back and reflect on those things we are thankful for.
I’d like to say thank you to all of the people who have donated time and their talent, money, and/or items that support The Dale Association’s fundraising efforts. That helps pay for the things we do and therefore helps us fulfill our mission.
The Dale Association’s mission statement — “To provide comprehensive services and coordinate connections for adults in Niagara and neighboring counties with enhance their health and wellness and empower them to strengthen bridges to their communities” — serves as a reminder of the reason it exists in this community and, therefore, the reason we do the things we do.
It may be supporting older individuals with our senior services. It may be assisting seriously and persistently mentally ill adults to achieve mental wellness and stabilize their emotions. It may be enriching the lives of people through our volunteering programs, or it may be supporting caregivers by providing resources that help them be better caregivers, or it may be assisting older adults with vision and/or hearing impairments maintain their independence.
Whatever the service, all focus on believing each person has value, and we hope to enhance their potential to live their life to the fullest.
Regardless what your charity of choice is, it is probably their mission and what they do that you believe in. Almost certainly, I can speak for all charitable organizations when I say that we are so grateful for the generosity of this community, our community, when it comes to delivering each of our missions. All fundraising activities support programs of charities, and again, it is what is accomplished with the money and donation of time that really defines each of our purposes.
Fundraising is more than about the money, it’s about the results accomplished by our use of the money. It is through our donors and volunteer supporters and what they give that we are able to make a difference. Fundraising is at its best when we can match our need for donations with your desire to support organizations that have made a difference in your life or the lives of family and friends. Many non-profit charitable organizations across the nation rely more and more on fundraising as a means to support their mission and the Dale Association is no different.
This past year, many of you have supported Dale Association fundraising efforts by making a gift to the Annual Giving Campaign, by pledging general donations, by attending events, by purchasing raffle tickets, by attending BINGO, by becoming a sponsor, or by making a charitable gift through your estate planning. The money raised helps us sustain our mission in this community. To all of you: Thank you! Thank you on behalf of all the charities you support all year long.
As you plan and prepare for your Thanksgiving celebration, please take time to reflect on those things that you are thankful for.