The Alzheimer’s Family Organization (AFO), which has been serving the Tampa Bay area for more than two decades, is in danger of closing, according to a news release from the organization.
The AFO provides free services to caregivers with loved ones suffering from Alzheimer’s disease and other related dementias, but now it’s in need of help itself.
The nonprofit relies almost entirely on fundraising as their source of income, but because of the COVID-19 pandemic, fundraising has come to a halt.
The AFO had five major fundraisers set up for 2020 spread out over the eight-county service area: Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco, Hernando, Citrus, Lake, Marion, and Sumter.
It held one fundraiser just days before the state shut down due to the pandemic, but had to cancel the other four.
To stretch the remaining funds, the brick-and-mortar office building in Spring Hill was closed to allow staff to continue to provide support to caregivers.
Based on current estimates, funding will be exhausted by Thanksgiving, the release says.
The organization hopes to raise the $200,000 it needs to sustain services until early summer of next year, with the hope that fundraising can resume.
Should the AFO close, countless numbers of caregivers will lose vital support and services to help them successfully care for their loved ones, such as support groups, wanderer’s reunification, education, coaching and other needed services as they walk their journey of this disease.
To find out more or to donate, visit AlzheimersFamily.org, or call (352) 616-0170.
Published September 23, 2020
