The Alzheimer Society of Sarnia-Lambton was established in 1986 by a group of local volunteers. “The first meeting was held in Petrolia at Twilight Haven Home for the Aged which is now known as Lambton Meadowview Villa. Dorothea Rivett was a driving force for the Society. If it wasn’t for her and the rest of the volunteers, this chapter wouldn’t be where it is today,” says Chief Executive Officer, Melanie Bouck. In 1993, they incorporated as a registered non-profit organization and established a new Board of Directors. At the same time, they relocated from Petrolia to an office in Point Edward. Today, they reside in The Chris Dawson Centre, located at 420 East Street North.
Throughout the years, the Society has grown not only in terms of people power but also in programming. “We started out with a couple of staff members and now have nine program staff who work within the office and sixteen personal support workers, providing respite care. We have really grown over the last few years,” says team member, Christine Wright. Programs are meant to change, grow, and expand as dictated by the needs of the community. “While we are funded in part by the Erie St. Clair Local Health Integration Network (LHIN), we rely on special events, grants, donations, bequests, and in-memoriam donations to provide our programs and services. All donations stay local.”

One of the newest events that has quickly gained community attention is the Alzheimer Society’s Home Improvement – Kitchen Edition Lottery. “The lottery was launched in May of 2021 and was wildly popular,” says Marie Marcy-Smids, Manager of Fund Development and Communications. Ticket purchasers have a chance to win a $50,000 custom kitchen. The first draw took place in February 2022, and the raffle is making its return with a 2023 upcoming draw date.
“We were fortunate to be able to partner with seven very community-minded local businesses who agreed to donate products and services,” shares Marcy-Smids. The title sponsor, Sarnia Cabinets, is providing $22,500 for design, install and cabinetry. Other vendors include Pete’s Plumbing, Progressive Countertops, Burdett Electric, Twin Bridge Lighting, Custom Floors Carpet One, Northend Appliance, and Bigras Painting. “The inaugural year of the lottery netted the Society over $70,000; we are hoping to generate $85,000 this year,” says Marcy-Smids.

The timeline for the lottery is more condensed this year with the launch occurring at the Brigden Fair in October. Tickets are available at various outlets as well as at the Alzheimer Society's booth at Lambton Mall. Tickets can be purchased online as well as from the Alzheimer Society website.
Tickets are $50.00 and the draw will take place on February 16th at Lambton Mall.
It was never Joyce Keelan's plan to go it alone, and start her own company, but due to gender discrimination in the engineering world of the 1980s, she became a corporate refugee. And consequently, her own boss. Step one on Joyce's road to independence began when she took a job with Magna Internati
It would come as no surprise if some 20 years from now one or both of Melissa Chong's sons takes control of the family business, Haines Printing. That's because Haines Printing has been passed down through three generations. I thought I might be the last one, said William Chong Jr., who to
Admittedly, running a health food store was not Natalie Holmes' original plan, but there is no denying it has become her passion. Natalie's mother, Inge Englehart, and her partner Eldon Tomlinson were interested in opening a business, and in 1992 The Water Bug Health Food Store came to be. Sadly,
As Cliff Smith's career working for Bell Canada was drawing to a close, he started pondering how he would spend his newfound free time in retirement. One thing the self-professed rink rat knew for sure was how much he enjoyed spending time at the local rink, having spent years watching his son Mich
COVID-19 taketh away and COVID-19 giveth back. When the pandemic hit in 2020, it meant Andrew Colborne had to shut down the family business, Great Lakes Dance Academy. With nothing but time on his hands, Andrew turned his attention to making a long-time dream come true by starting the Great Lake Bic
Fleck Law is a personal injury litigation firm that represents clients involved in serious and catastrophic personal injuries, wrongful deaths, motor vehicle accidents, slip and falls, and insurance claims. The firm was establishe...
Doctors Luke Winegard and Brendan Carney Kilian opened In Motion: Health Wellness Fitness in January 2007. Friends since they began chiropractic school in Toronto in 2002, both knew that they wanted to start their own business. "We knew we wanted to work for ourselves, not for someone else. We wan
When it comes to the success of his business The Country Butcher, Doug Waller credits his wife Sue's stance of go big or go home. I give all the credit to my wife, Doug says. When we sat down a few years ago to have the discussion about moving The Country Butcher to its current location o
#local
Install our app
Tap the Share button
Look for the share icon in your browser toolbar
Select "Add to Home Screen"
Scroll down in the share menu to find this option
Tap "Add"
The app will appear on your home screen