Marco Dementia Respite Gala

The community showed their support of the Marco Island Dementia Respite’s fourth annual gala at the Island Country Club on Sunday by selling out the event!

With cognitive impairment and other related disorders affecting so many, the need for quality care is constant for not only those affected but also for their caregivers.

Nearly 30 volunteers worked the event, which consisted of a cocktail hour, complete with a seafood and charcuterie bar. A silent auction table with several baskets donated from local supporters. A dazzling 14k gold and sterling silver bracelet, donated from Kathein Jewelers of Marco by Vahan, was a part of a raffle. And a large live auction of seven items, including a one-of-a-kind original masterpiece by artist Michele Vilaume-Driscoll.

The Presenting Mission Sponsors, Denise and Tim Rose, who dedicated their sponsorship to the memory of ‘Mom and Dad,’ welcomed the audience to the gala.

Tim Rose thanked everyone for their support and outpouring of love for MDR and gratefully introduced Pastor Ed Brandt, who has been a very good friend since its inception, “You made some meaningful contributions when we needed it most, thank you.”

The gentlemen shared a heartfelt handshake, and Pastor Brandt from United Church of Marco led the invocation. “In a world that moves quickly, this organization calls us to slow down, show patience, and offer kindness and dignity to people experiencing memory loss and to families who care for them,” said Brandt.

After yet another delicious meal provided by the Island Country Club staff, auctioneer Jay Zeager commissioned the room, “It's not just about raising the paddles and it's not just about bidding on those auction items. It's about making a difference. You're going to be making a difference in the mission for Marco Dementia Respite every time that paddle goes up. Whether you win that auction or not, it makes a difference. And you being here tonight makes a difference. So let's think about that as we're doing that tonight.”

After the live auction, Tim Rose returned to the stage and proceeded to take the time to personally thank the sponsors in what felt more like a warm exchange between friends versus a public acknowledgement. He walked about the room, pointing out the generous sponsors, and encouraged them to stand as the room applauded.

One could feel the depth in which they were appreciated with each of his words.

Among these were the Premier Program Sponsor, Atlantic Coastal Groups at Morgan Stanley, which has been recognized in the past couple of years by Forbes Magazine as the best in the state for wealth management. The Gold Sponsor, Ken and Sue Kozlowski, who have been integral pieces behind the scenes at the Bargain Basket. The Silver Sponsors, Robert and Patricia Friemann, have been with MDR since the very beginning and never cease in showing their support.

Citing 2026 to be the most impactful year yet, thanks to the dedication of the board of directors, Rose talked about the mission’s strategic goals:

• Expand Mission and Reach. Currently, there are three cornerstone programs that will continue to operate, but plans are to expand to include a younger demographic with Brain Health Education and Wellness. “We're going to expand our reach on Marco Island to include all of Collier County and our immediate geographic area.”
• Trusted Source: Brain Health Info. Dr. Paul Nussbaum, who is nearly full-time with the organization, has been working on a curriculum that will include Brain Health Info. With decades spent in the field, he is a leading expert and they aim to be a reliable source of education versus solely relying on late-night infomercials or big pharma peddled drugs. “If MDR says it, you can trust it,” said Rose.
• Rose took this time to announce that MDR is changing its name to MDR, Your Brain Health Matters. This change is a result of their expansion and the fact that your brain health matters - it is never too early to start thinking about it!
• Partner with Firms Serving Adult Wellness Market in Collier County. Getting the word out, reaching a broader audience, and sharing the mission’s focus are instrumental when seeking partnerships. The YMCA, NCH, and The Watermark were all acknowledged as existing partners. “You're going to hear about several other partners in the coming months who are going to help us get the word out,” said Rose, whose sights are set high, fueled by his passion for the mission.
• Launch Champagne Center for Brain Health. With over three years of operation, MDR, Your Brain Health Matters, has been blessed to work with a few local churches that have provided space, rent-free. However, due to the rising popularity of the programs, they are running into capacity issues. They now have a growing wait list that cannot be serviced at this time.

To answer this problem, a 2,800 square foot facility is currently being renovated above the existing physical therapy facility at NCH. With this growth will come the need for more clinical help, volunteers, administrative staff, and operating expenses.

Rose expanded on the continued generosity of the community to make this happen, excitedly sharing that his dear friend Steve Schott had donated $75,000 to cover the first year of events in the new space, “Steve, like everybody else in his room, really cares about where this money goes and how we can make sure every single dollar can be more and more effective.”

On the topic of generosity, Rose ended his speech by calling Tish and Rene Champagne to the stage. From the beginning, when the talk of expansion first came about, they developed a five-year plan and gave an exceedingly generous donation that is going to make the Champagne Center for Brain Health a reality in May.

Tish, beaming with emotion, addressed the sold-out room. She talked of their love for Marco Island, their home, and their community, and of the importance of MDR, Your Brain Health Matters, as we get older. “If there's a way that we can educate and improve life for you, your families, your community, your friends, then it makes it all worth it,” said Tish. “I have to say my hope is simple that you all will continue to support the places and sustain our health in this community. It's so critical.”

Speaking next, Rene elaborated on his connection to the mission and the first day that he and Tish came to observe the work being done. They saw those with severe memory loss and their caregivers. “It was hard for us to leave without tears in our eyes, quite frankly, because of the good work that was going on,” Rene said.

Getting to know the board, they saw the high quality of people involved and watched the success of the organization. The fact that nearly everyone in the room is being affected in one form or another by memory loss can be frightening and anxiety-producing. “We have to overcome that,” he said. Rene asked Dr. Nussbaum, who was in attendance, to stand, praising him for his dedicated efforts in helping MDR, Your Brain Health Matters, and the Champagne Center for Brain Health.

Rene then challenged the room to take the steps to improve their brain health,” We must continue to socialize with other people, keep talking, become very active, and most importantly on Marco Island, of all places to be, get out into the sunshine.”

As the stage transitioned for the final paddle raise, the room was reminded that their donations help keep numerous programs available to those who need them at no cost. And with the continued generosity that evening, MDR, Your Brain Health Matters seeks to continue their mission for years to come.

If you or someone you know would like to learn more and take action on taking care of your brain health, you can easily sign up to receive a monthly newsletter straight from MDR, Your Brain Health Matters, by visiting www.marcodementiarespite.org.