10/16/2026
💚 Celebrating 10 Years of LIFE: A Dementia Friendly Foundation! 💚
What an extraordinary day! Today, we celebrated 10 years of LIFE: A Dementia Friendly Foundation, and our hearts are overflowing with gratitude! What began as a vision has grown into a ministry of compassion, connection, understanding, and support for individuals living with dementia and the families who walk alongside them.
With more than 100 people registered and an incredible turnout, our 10th Anniversary Symposium was a beautiful reflection of what LIFE is all about — people coming together, sharing their hearts, learning from one another, and making a difference in the lives of others. 💚
A heartfelt THANK YOU to everyone who made this day so special!
💚 Dr. Carol Chan delivered a wonderful, informative presentation that deepened our understanding and enriched our celebration.
💚 Dancing Wheels Company & School, led by Sara Lawrence-Lawrence-Sucato, and Debra Rose gave an amazing presentation highlighting the powerful connection between movement, music, and the lives of those living with dementia. What a beautiful reminder that we can continue to connect, express ourselves, and experience life through movement and music!
💚 Our caregivers — thank you for courageously sharing your hearts, your experiences, and your wisdom. Your voices matter, and your stories remind us why this work is so important.
💚 Our vendors and community partners — thank you for showing up, sharing your resources, and standing alongside LIFE in support of individuals and families affected by dementia.
💚 Avon Lake United Church of Christ — a very special THANK YOU for graciously hosting our 10th Anniversary Symposium and for your ongoing support of our Wednesday LIFE Memory Café! We are so grateful for your generosity, partnership, and commitment to making a difference in the lives of individuals living with dementia and their care partners. Thank you for providing a welcoming place where our community can come together, build connections, and find support. Your continued partnership means so much to LIFE and the families we serve! 💚
💚 Our incredible volunteers and café staff — your time, energy, compassion, and countless behind-the-scenes efforts helped make this celebration a success. So much goes into an event like this, and we are deeply grateful for every one of you!
💚 Our Board of Directors — thank you for believing in the mission, sharing the vision, offering your leadership, and helping LIFE continue to grow and serve our community.
💚 Honey, our special comfort dog — thank you for bringing a little extra comfort and warmth to our celebration! Sometimes, the sweetest connections need no words at all. 🐾
💚 Western Reserve Area Agency on Aging — we are deeply honored and grateful for the award presented to LIFE. This recognition means so much as we celebrate a decade of serving our community.
And to EVERYONE who attended, supported, encouraged, sponsored, volunteered, prayed, and helped bring this day together — THANK YOU! You are part of the LIFE story, and we could not do this work without you.
As we reflect on these first ten years, we are reminded that LIFE has never been about just a program or a place. It has always been about PEOPLE. It is about seeing the person beyond the diagnosis, supporting the care partner, building meaningful connections, and creating a community where no one has to walk this journey alone.
Our foundation is rooted in Christian values, and we give God the glory for opening doors, bringing people together, and placing this desire on our hearts. We are grateful for every person who has been part of this journey and excited for what lies ahead.
Ten years of LIFE. Ten years of serving. Ten years of standing alongside families. And by God’s grace, our story continues! 💚
From the bottom of our hearts, THANK YOU for making our 10th Anniversary Symposium such a wonderful success!
With grateful hearts,
Carole Klingler
Founder & CEO
LIFE: A Dementia Friendly Foundation 💚
