Skills:
Non-profits, Fundraising, Mental Health, Public Relations, Clinical Research, Public Speaking, Nursing, Social Networking, Event Planning, Wellness, Healthcare Management, Team Building, Healthcare, Marketing Communications, Customer Service, Strategic Planning, Coaching, Community Outreach, Managed Care, Operations Management, Elder Care, Career Counseling, Copy Editing, Leadership Development, Hospitals, Event Management, Marketing Strategy, Program Development, Microsoft Office, Research, Home Care, Marketing, Medicare, Volunteer Management
Awards:
2013 Vision Award for Wellness
Texas DADS
Helping Alzheimer's Patients and Their Families
Donna worked with her church and Interfaith Care Partners, a local nonprofit, to start a monthly respite program for people in the early to middle stages of dementia and their families. The free, volunteer-run program allows participants a chance to socialize with others, exercise, enjoy musical performances and other activities, and also receive a nutritious lunch. The program also provides family caregivers a brief respite from their responsibilities.
Families affected by Alzheimer's disease can become isolated; caregivers' emotional, mental, and physical health begins to suffer and programs like The Gathering are fun for everyone!
Donna also coordinates the Holiday Project, which brings volunteers into skilled nursing facilities during the holidays to spend time with residents who might otherwise spend the holiday alone.
As the Northwest Houston Walk to End Alzheimer's committee chair for the past several years, Donna has grown the event from having 200 participants and raising $30,000 in 2010, to more than 1,000 walkers raising more than $107,000 for Alzheimer's care, support and research in 2012.
In addition to her service to the Alzheimer's Association, Donna serves on a number of other committees and advisory boards including one to start a new senior citizen center in her northwest Houston community.