ALZHEIMERS ART QUILT INITIATIVE
Invite reviews
Invite friends and colleagues to share their experiences with this nonprofit
February 5, 2011
I lost my mother, aunt and a dear friend to Alzheimer’s disease. It was so difficult to stand by helpless to do anything beyond making them as comfortable as possible. I discovered Ami Simms’s Alzheimer’s Art Quilt Initiative in 2007 and felt that I had found a way to fight back. I feel good working for this cause, knowing that all the proceeds go to Alzheimer’s research with no overhead expenses taken out.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
I doubt that a cure for Alzheimer's will be found in time to help my generation. It is my hope and prayer that a cure will come in time to save my children and grandchildren from this dreaded disease.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
I would like too find a way to spread the word faster and get more people involved.
February 4, 2011
The things I love about AAQI are many. I love that all of the money they raise goes to research (not overhead). I love that they have so many opportunities for people to help in small ways -- even small ways add up if you include enough people. I love that I can decorate my house with artwork while supporting a good cause. And I love how Ami Simms channeled her grief into something so productive and promising -- what a tribute to her mother.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
They didn't call it Alzheimers back then, but I'm sure that my grandmother suffered from it in her last years, so I would certainly like to see more research before I get to that point in my life!
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
look for new ways to spread the word to the community at large, beyond quilt circles.
February 4, 2011
As a member of the Alzheimer's Art Quilt Initiative, I was asked by Ami Simms to send a 2" x 6" strip of purple fabric with the name of someone I loved on the back. The name of someone who has, or has had, Alzheimer's Disease, or a related dementia.
As I began to write their names on the back, it was like I could hear an honorary roll call being read out loud with each, and every name. At first I had a lump in my throat, and then a pain in my heart, and suddenly I began to feel tears as they streamed down my face.
Nine names, nine purple strips, nine lives touched and destroyed by the hurricane force of this horrible disease. Nine people in my family alone, in my memory, in my own relating generation, in my DNA, in my own heart.
Since that day, six more names have been added to that fate-filled list, including my own mother who now has advanced Alzheimer's, and my father who just passed away with his own early dementia.
Now, there are not nine, but 15 members of my immediate family whose purple ribbons are waving in the ribbons of love in my heart.. and out of that 15....only my mother is still alive, and still facing the challenges of a changed, and ravaged life.
And just as these purple banners wave across the hearts of all of those who view the "Alzheimer's Forgetting Piece by Piece" quilts, and will wave again in the "From Heartbreak to Hope" traveling exhibit in 2011, they wave, too, in all of our lives.
My life and the life of my family has been forever changed, and I am so grateful to have this wonderful organization supporting research into Alzheimer's. AAQI has given me the gift of knowing I can make a difference...in my life, and in the lives of all who face the challenges of Alzheimer's Disease.
I am so very proud that I am able to donate art quilts to this wonderful organization and even prouder when others hear my story and the stories of others just like me, and bid on, or buy quilts from AAQI.
Knowing that we have already made a difference in the ever-growing battle against this horrible disease with the monies we have earned, and the research that we have funded, not only gives me cause to hope.....it gives me a cause to believe in.
And I believe in the Alzheimer's Art Quilt Initiative and the wonderful work it does with all my heart.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
I have been blessed to know that I can use my gifts and creativity in a positive way that benefits research funding and gives me something I can physically do besides the exhaustive care taking of my family members stricken with Alzheimer's and related dementias.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Find a way that it, and other funding organizations for Alzheimer's research would never be required at all. And this will happen when Alzheimer's Disease can be prevented or eradicated..once and for all!
February 4, 2011
I made 2 Priority quilts in 2010 and when I finished making one in Jan 2011 and went to register it, I saw we could mail them in reg. mail. What a blessing! It saves money!
When Ami came to our guild in TX and she talked about her mothers illness, it really made Alzheimers a REAL thing, not just something I've heard of. Then I saw her presentation on the Quilt Show on-line. When she showed the 3 different "leaf" stencils her mother had made, 1 when healthy and the other 2 as her Alzheimers progressed, it was like a slap in the face, YOU COULD SEE HOW HER MOMS MIND CHANGED!!!
We don't have lots of $ to donate to different groups BUT....Ami has allowed me to make mini quilts,MINI QUILTS! She doesn't ask for a king size quilt, just a little scrap material, left-over batting & my time and guess what???? I CAN HELP !!! Thank you so much Ami & and all you volunteers for letting me be a small part of the research funding!May God Bless you all, DonnaKay
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
Not really, just self satisfaction knowing I have helped just a little bit.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Keep my nose out of it, it seems just fine to me!
February 3, 2011
Everyone I have ever talked to has a story about someone in their life affected by Alzheimers - and I do mean EVERYONE. This group Is wholely dedicated to changing that statement. I applaud and support that work.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
... the warm feeling I get knowing all my donation goes directly to our goal.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Grow a money tree.
February 3, 2011
I am proud to do what little I can to support a group dedicated to finding a cure to this dreadful disease. It has devastated our family (my dad and many of his brothers and sisters - and now we know his mom too) and also devastates the families of many of my friends. If we could just eradicate cancer and Alzheimer's we could have our loved ones with us for so much longer than we do. I do not know of anything AAQI can do better - but I know we can do a better job of supporting it.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
seeing what they have donated to Alz research so far.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
nothing
February 3, 2011
We bring attention to Alzheimers because we do not want anyone else to know what it's like to lose a loved one to Alzheimers. AAQI is a premier example of doing so in the hopes of finding a cure for this disease.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
seminar
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
not.
February 2, 2011
AAQI is a grass roots orginization dedicated to funding research in the fight to understand alzheimer's. I am very impressed with the orginization of AAQI because all of the money raised goes to research.
A friend has gotten me involved and I am currently working on several quilts to send in.
Keep up the great work and I challenge everyone who reads this o send in one quilt for AAQI research!
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
I have personally heard Ami Simms speak and motivate quilters to help in the fight against Alzheimers.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
It is great the way it is now! We just need more people involved!
February 2, 2011
AAQI started as a grass roots efforts to raise money for Alzheimer's research. I love that every cent is accounted for. There are no big CEO's on the payroll and the money raised goes directly to research.
I became aware of AAQI after my mom was diagnosed with this awful disease. I've made several little quilts for donations and am always pleasantly surprised when my humble addition adds money to the efforts.
This is a great non profit!!
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
It has given me a sense of hope that very small things can add up to very big results!
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
no changes necessary.
February 2, 2011
My Dad was diagnosed with Alzheimer's in 2005. This is the kind of disease that makes you feel powerless to help. My mom was doing all the day to day care-giving, and although we tried to help, many of us were too far away to do much. Seeing him slip away farther and farther with each visit was heartbreaking. When I saw that Ami had started AAQI and was asking for quilts for the Piece by Piece exhibit, an idea immediately popped into my head, and with the help of family and friends, I was able to create that quilt. I was delighted when it was chosen for the exhibit, and have been a faithful volunteer ever since. I love the fact that this is a grassroots, all volunteer organization and there was no overhead or salaries taking a percentage of the money I raised. At a point where Dad's disease allowed me little I could do to help, I found solace in helping the AAQI raise money for research to cure a disease that leaves people helpless. I am a firm believer in the mission of the AAQI and will continue to help in any way I can.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
So many ways . . . it has helped me deal with the hopelessness of Alzheimer's - the people are all warm and wonderful and I wouldn't have missed this experience for anything.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
grant them unlimited funds!
More feedback...
Would you volunteer for this group again?
Definitely
For the time you spent, how much of an impact did you feel your work or activity had?
Life-changing
Did the organization use your time wisely?
Very Well
Would you recommend this group to a friend?
Definitely
Did your volunteer experience have an effect on you? (teaching you a new skill, or introducing new friends, etc.)
I have made friends for life, and truly feel that I have helped to make a difference.
How did this volunteer experience make you feel?
not as hopeless and helpless as before.
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2011
Filter by reviewer role:
Support This Nonprofit
Help this nonprofit get more reviews
5 tips for getting reviews