Diane & Thomas Leavitt honored with Community Leadership & Activist Award
Vermont Business Magazine Close to 400 business leaders, supporters and volunteers were on hand to celebrate Diane and Thomas Leavitt as they received the Alzheimer’s Association Community Leadership & Activist Award at the 10th Annual Reason to Hope Dinner on April 18th, at the Hilton Burlington. Thursday’s celebration has raised over $208,000 for Alzheimer’s care, support and research with more donations arriving daily in honor of the Leavitt’s.
The Reason to Hope Dinner was led by Co-Chairs Donna Austin-Hawley and Nicole Carignan. Dr. Richard Schneider, President of Norwich University, and Honorary Chair Joseph Boutin paid tribute to Diane and Tom’s commitment their family and their many volunteer, personal and professional contributions to our community.
Diane & Thomas Leavitt
“Tonight, for the first time, the Alzheimer’s Association will present a couple with the Community Leadership & Activist Award,” stated Kelly Devine, Reason to Hope emcee and volunteer Chair for the Champlain Valley Walk to End Alzheimer’s. “Caregiving is not a solitary activity – it is a team effort. When Diane and Tom were faced with their own Alzheimer’s journey, their love, faith and family provided the strength they needed to overcome what could have felt like an insurmountable challenge.”
In its first decade, the Reason to Hope Dinner has collectively raised over $1,000,000 to fund crucial programs and services to help Vermonters living with dementia, expand our advocacy efforts on the federal and state level, plus invest in cutting-edge research worldwide. To make a donation in honor of Diane and Thomas Leavitt, text 2019RTHD to 91999 or contact Jane Mitchell, development director, at 802.316.3839 or [email protected].
The Community Leadership & Activist Award is presented annually to a community leader in recognition of their civic and humanitarian efforts. It is given to individuals who have had a distinguished professional career, who are involved in and committed to community affairs, and their leadership among peers. Past honorees include Tammy Johnson (2018), Gene Richards (2017), Dan Feeney (2016), Antonio B. Pomerleau (2015), Mary Powell (2014), Scott D. Carpenter (2013), William Pendlebury, MD, (2012), Michael Seaver (2011) and Don George (2010).
The 10th annual Reason to Hope Dinner was made possible through the generous support of Norwich University, the Antonio and Rita Pomerleau Foundation and Northfield Savings Bank. Proceeds from the event fund crucial programs and services to help Vermonters living with dementia, and to invest in cutting-edge research worldwide. For more information about the Alzheimer’s Association, visit alz.org/vermont or contact the Alzheimer’s Association, Vermont Chapter at located at 300 Cornerstone Drive, Suite 130, Williston, VT 05495.
About Alzheimer’s Disease
More than 5 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s, including an estimated 13,000 Vermont residents. Vermont has the highest per-capita death rate due to Alzheimer’s in the United States. As baby boomers age the number of individuals living with Alzheimer’s will rapidly escalate. In total, 16.1 million Americans provided 18.4 billion hours of unpaid care in 2018 to those with Alzheimer’s and other dementias, including 30,000 Vermonters who provided an estimated 34 million total hours of unpaid care.
About the Alzheimer’s Association
The Alzheimer’s Association is the world’s leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer care, support and research. Our mission is to eliminate Alzheimer’s disease through the advancement of research; to provide and enhance care and support for all affected; and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health. Our vision is a world without Alzheimer’s.
Source: Williston, VT – April 19, 2019: Alzheimer’s Association Visit www.alz.org or call 800.272.3900.