Giving Back

Towards the end of last year I read an essay that inspired to make charitable giving a larger priority in my life. I decided that within the next two years I would like to be able to donate 10% of my income to various charities that are in line with my personal values. I started small with one organization but have been watchful for other causes that I feel inspired to donate time or money to.

I got a light bulb idea from the women of Snap!Weddings, who spoke at the Imaging USA convention, to donate a portion of each wedding package to charity. I loved this concept and quickly realized that giving to Alzheimer’s research would be a cause very close to my heart.

Almost a year ago, after sharing a rare evening with her children gathered around her, my grandmother passed away from this disease. She had struggled with Alzheimer’s for around 9 years and was finally able to be at rest. In those years I watched my strong grandmother, self-sufficient to a fault, slowly slip away and become completely dependent on those around her. We had never been very close, but after she had lost her memories and I had grown up enough to want to know her history, I regretted not making the effort to get to know her better earlier.

In light of my own experience, and others I have known who lost the stories of the people that they love, I have decided to donate 5% of each wedding I book to Alzheimer’s research. The money will go to the My Brain Movement, a branch of the Alzheimer’s Association that places an emphasis on women with the disease and those who serve as caregivers. These donations will help to fund research and support programs and services both for caregivers and patients. I am excited to have a greater cause served by a career that I am already passionate about. It is my hope that one day no person will have to worry about losing the stories of their loved ones before they can be shared.