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Health & Fitness

A Celebration of Hope for the Future

Alzheimer's Association's annual dinner "A Celebration of Hope" to be held April 26th. P. Kelly Tompkins of Westlake to receive Champion Award.

More than 3,500 families in the Cleveland area depend on the for assistance in coping with the crushing responsibilities of caring for a loved one with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease.

At no expense to the families, the organization consults with them on how to care for their loved one and provides support services, educational programs, resources, safety services and referrals.

To maintain these services, the association will host its annual dinner, A Celebration of Hope, Thursday, April 26, 2012, at 5:30 p.m. at the Renaissance
Cleveland Grand Ballroom, 24 Public Square, Cleveland. 

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The evening includes a cocktail reception, silent auction, program, awards presentation and dinner. Individual tickets start at $200 per person and tables of 10 start at $2,000. For additional information or to register to attend, contact Kelly Morrell at 216-231-1481 or by email at kelly.morrell@alz.org.

In addition to helping the Cleveland Area Chapter continue to serve local families,
funds raised from A Celebration of Hope assist the organization in its efforts to
eliminate Alzheimer’s disease through the advancement of research. Last year,
the annual dinner event raised more than $362,000.

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“As the number of individuals with Alzheimer’s climbs, we find our services in greater demand and look forward to increasing community support,” said Nancy Udelson, executive director of the Alzheimer’s Association Cleveland Area Chapter.

Highlights of this year’s event include big ticket silent auction items such as:

  • Behind-the-scenes tour of the Columbus Zoo and a meet and greet with Jack Hanna for 6 people
  • Celebrity Golf Outing with legendary former Cavaliers Austin Carr and Larry Nance
  • Four VIP tickets to watch the Daily Show live in New York City with an airfare credit

EVENT HONOREES

Several key advocates from the Cleveland area will be honored at A Celebration of Hope this year.

P. Kelly Tompkins of Westlake will receive the Champion Award for his long-standing commitment and dedication to the Alzheimer’s Association. A committed philanthropist, Tompkins has been involved with the association as a member of the Board of Trustees, and has served as both a chair and member of the dinner’s Corporate Committee. Tompkins' exemplary fundraising skills have significantly increased the level of corporate support and awareness of both Alzheimer’s disease and the services of the Alzheimer’s Association.  Tompkins is the Executive Vice President of Legal, Government Affairs and Sustainability at Cliffs Natural Resources.

Other honorees include:

Deborah Cloud of Warrensville Heights will receive the Arlene L. Ellis Volunteer of the Year Award

Mark A. Smith, Ph.D., formerly of Chagrin Falls, will receive the Jennifer B. Langston Community Service Award (posthumously)

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