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Fight Against Alzheimer’s

Together We Can Fight to End Alzheimer’s and Dementia

GSM and Alzheimer's Association Co-branded Purple Truck

Do you know one of the more than 6 million Americans living with Alzheimer’s? Or how about the more than 11 million caregivers who provide unpaid care to someone with Alzheimer’s and other dementia? If so, you are not alone! The Gooding Group Foundation and GSM Roofing are committed to helping those affected by this disease.
Whether raising funds or awareness to advance research that will end Alzheimer’s and dementia or lending a shoulder for those who need it while living with or caring for someone with this disease, we will never stop fighting. Join us now and make a difference in the lives of so many people.

Raise Awareness and Funds to Fight Against Alzheimer’s

Alzheimer’s Disease is a type of dementia that affects memory, thinking, and behavior. Early signs can sometimes be confused with typical signs of aging but become more severe as the disease progresses.

It typically ends up interfering with daily tasks, such as being able to carry a conversation or respond to the environment. And unfortunately, there is no cure.

That’s why we are raising awareness for two fundraisers that are near and dear to our hearts.

An Hour for ALZ

An Hour for ALZ is a fundraising event hosted by GSM Roofing and the Gooding Group Foundation on behalf of the Alzheimer’s Association’s event, The Longest Day. This fundraiser occurs on the Summer Solstice, the day with the most light. It allows people from all across the world to fight through the darkness of Alzheimer’s Disease.

The premise of an Hour for ALZ is simple: donate just one hour of your paycheck to the Alzheimer’s Association. If just one person who knows someone affected by this disease (6.7 million Americans) were to donate one hour of their paycheck (an average of $31.83), we could donate more than $213 million to help stop this disease in its tracks. But regardless of how much you can donate, every penny you donate towards this cause is one step further from having another person forget their spouse, children, and grandchildren. Please consider donating today!

Walk to End Alzheimer’s®

The Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s® is a national event where participants carry flowers to symbolize their unwavering commitment to ending this disease. Much like flowers, our participants exhibit the same resilience and persistence in facing obstacles.

They tirelessly raise funds and increase awareness to find a breakthrough in the fight against Alzheimer’s and all other forms of dementia. This event is held annually in more than 600 communities nationwide, making it the world’s largest event to raise funds and awareness for Alzheimer’s care, support, and research. You can register for your local walk as a team or individual. Then, start fundraising and sharing with the Alzheimer’s Association easy fundraising tools. Finally, you’ll join the Gooding Group Foundation on the walk day to celebrate our commitment to ending this disease.

Ready to Make a Donation?

If you are ready to make a difference in the lives of so many people, then make your donation now! Simply click on the link to the right and contribute as much or as little as you can. Remember—no amount is too great or too small. Join the fight against Alzheimer’s now!

Why Is GSM So Passionate about Ending Alzheimer’s?

In 2014, the fight against Alzheimer’s became extremely important to the Gooding family after watching Mary Gooding, one of our own, decline from the effects of the disease. As business owners, we believe raising awareness for this cause is our opportunity to make a difference. So, we formed a team—The GSM Memory Marchers—and raised over $33,000 in our first year for the Walk to End Alzheimer’s—the largest Alzheimer’s fundraising event held across hundreds of cities in the fall.

Sadly, Mary lost her fight, but our resolve to defeat the disease increased. We joined the Greater PA Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association and raised an additional $56,000 for the walk. Additionally, as we shared our story, we learned how prevalent Alzheimer’s is in our society and how many people have a family member with the disease. Alzheimer’s is still a non-disclosed disease, and people with it, their caretakers, and doctors have difficulty dealing with it. It’s tough telling someone they have a disease that will rob them of their memories and has a 0% survival rate.

So now, more than ever, we want to take our fight to a national level with “The Longest Day.” This Alzheimer’s Association fundraising event occurs on the Summer Solstice, the year’s longest day. But we are asking every person in America who has a family member or friend with the disease for just one hour. Here’s how:

Donate just one hour of your paycheck to the Alzheimer’s Association with #AnHour4Alz. Whether it’s $10 or $100, every amount makes a huge difference as we strive to eradicate this disease from our planet. Join us in the fight against Alzheimer’s, and let’s end it together.

Learn the 10 Warning Signs of Alzheimer’s Disease

Teaming up with the Alzheimer’s Association is more than just raising funds for research, advocacy, and education programs. It’s also raising awareness of this disease so it can be caught early and treated immediately. Here are 10 warning signs of Alzheimer’s Disease.

1. Memory Loss that Disrupts Daily Life

A common sign of Alzheimer’s Disease is forgetting information that a person recently learned. This sign is fairly common in the early stages of the disease and can include forgetting important dates or events or asking the same question repeatedly.

2. Challenges in Planning or Solving Problems

Another warning sign of Alzheimer’s Disease is a change in the ability to develop or follow a plan or work with numbers. Some examples of this warning sign include trouble following a familiar recipe or keeping track of monthly bills. They may also have difficulty concentrating.

3. Difficulty Completing Familiar Tasks

When routine tasks become difficult to complete, it can be a sign of Alzheimer’s Disease. These signs should be recorded and reported to a doctor, whether it’s trouble driving to a familiar location, organizing a grocery list, or remembering the rules to a favorite game.

4. Confusion with Time or Place

For those with Alzheimer’s, losing track of dates, seasons, and the passage of time is an all-too-common reality. Some examples of this sign include forgetting where they are or how they got there and not understanding something that is not happening immediately.

5. Trouble Understanding Visual Images & Spatial Relationships

A common sign of Alzheimer’s Disease is forgetting information that a Visual problems may also indicate a possibility of Alzheimer’s Disease. A person may have trouble judging distance or determining color or contrast. This sign often causes issues with driving. However, it shouldn’t be confused with vision changes related to cataracts.

6. New Problems with Words in Speaking or Writing

Have you noticed a loved one stopping in the middle of a conversation with no idea how to continue or repeating themselves? This warning sign happens in people with Alzheimer’s and may cause the person to struggle with naming a familiar object or using the wrong name.

7. Misplacing Things and Losing the Ability to Retrace Steps

Misplacing items or putting things in unusual places may be a sign of Alzheimer’s Disease. They also cannot go back over their steps to find the items again or even accuse others of stealing, especially as the disease progresses. If you notice these signs, speak with a doctor.

8. Decreased or Poor Judgment

Some examples of poor judgment include making poor money decisions or paying less attention to grooming and personal hygiene. These changes in judgment and decision-making are often signs of Alzheimer’s Disease but shouldn’t be confused with making bad decisions occasionally.

9. Withdrawal from Work or Social Activities

Because a person with Alzheimer’s often has difficulty following or holding a conversation, they may withdraw from social activities, hobbies, and other engagements. They may also have difficulty following a favorite sports team or activity they once enjoyed.

10. Changes in Mood and Personality

Becoming easily upset at home, at work, with friends, or when out of their comfort zone is a common warning sign that a person may be living with Alzheimer’s. If you notice these changes in a loved one, they should be reported to their doctor for further evaluation.

Join the List of Donors Who Are Making a Huge Difference

Every contribution to this cause is significant. And some people and organizations can make a massive difference in this fight.

Wouldn’t you consider joining this list of generous donors who contributed $1,000 or more?

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Don’t Wait! Join Us to Help End Alzheimer’s and Dementia Today!

As a business, we have many responsibilities that we take seriously. Some of these include ensuring the safety and welfare of our employees, delivering quality products and services to our customers, and improving our communities. At GSM, supporting our community is one of our core values. We contribute to more than 50 local non-profit organizations each year and host our annual Great Roof Giveaway. This project has repaired or replaced the roofs of more than 50 non-profits since 2012.

To carry on the legacy of our founding family’s mother, Mary Gooding, we are committed to being a cause for good in the Alzheimer’s community. We take this responsibility very seriously and encourage you to donate what you can to this cause. Join us now as we help to fund the efforts that will one day lead to a cure for this heartbreaking disease. Donate now!

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Thanks for the GREAT service!!

Norma Dougherty Controller June 28, 2022