Westminster Hits $2 Million Mark Benefitting Alzheimer’s Texas
February 4, 2025 – AUSTIN – Westminster retirement community is pleased to announce that it has raised approximately $2 million for Alzheimer’s Texas to support respite care, a 24/7 live answered Help Line, community education and training, and neurological research at Texas medical schools. Westminster has been raising money for Alzheimer’s Texas since the mid-1980s and during the last decade, adopted Alzheimer’s Texas as its primary beneficiary.
For the last nine years, Westminster earned Alzheimer’s Texas’ “Champion Fundraising” title. This year alone, the Westminster community has raised over $168,000, making it the largest Austin-area fundraising organization benefitting Alzheimer’s.
Westminster is proud of its culture of giving. By hosting individual fundraising pages and annual events like a Food Truck party, silent auction, Kendra Scott Gives Back shopping spree, and everyone’s favorite, the “Westminster Dog Show,” residents and associates celebrate their creativity, build teamwork, and raise money for a cause that is near to everyone at Westminster. The dedicated fundraising season begins in July and wraps up mid-fall.
“Westminster is a very giving community,” said Executive Director, Chuck Borst. “Our residents have spent their lives giving time and money to worthwhile causes. As seniors who are directly impacted by their own memory loss or that of spouses, relatives, and friends, they intrinsically understand how Alzheimer’s Texas benefits their lifestyle and the generations to follow.”
Westminster’s associates enjoy conceptualizing and organizing fundraising events. Family and friends attend and donate. “This year’s committee enjoyed hosting our popular, traditional events and creating new ones like Karaoke nights to keep things fresh,” said Westminster fundraising committee co-chair and HR Manager, Wendy Gordon. “We blew this year’s goal of $60,000 out of the water which makes all the work so worthwhile. We are proud of our team and community.”
Since its Memory Support wing opened in February of 2023, Westminster has provided specialized care to 52 residents experiencing dementia. Independent spouses remain in their apartments a short walk away on the same campus, allowing families to stay physically and emotionally connected. Former Texas Senator and LBJ School Dean Max Sherman and his wife, Gene Alice, shared this arrangement after she was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s a decade ago and passed away this fall. To chronicle his journey to navigate this horrible disease, Max wrote a book, Releasing the Butterfly: A Love Affair in Four Acts, which captures how he learned how to communicate, understand, and care for Gene Alice, and, most importantly, ensure her safety, as a “caregiver with no guidebook,” says Max. “Westminster not only took care of Gene Alice, but continues to lend its full support and energy behind fundraising to cure this heartbreaking disease,” says Max. “This is the best place on earth to meet my wife’s needs and mine, and the needs of other families who benefit from our partnership with Alzheimer’s Texas.”
Westminster’s unique approach to partnership-based philanthropy is comprised of hands-on activities and deep professional commitment. “The special element of Westminster’s peer-to-peer fundraising is a series of events that offer appeal to a broad audience, creating a real esprit de corp inside their management structure with the emphasis on team rather than individual fundraiser,” said Debbie Hanna of Alzheimer’s Texas.
Alzheimer’s disease affects nearly five million adults in the United States and that number could increase to nearly 14 million by 2050. Almost two-thirds of Americans with Alzheimer’s are women. For facts and resources in Texas visit the Alzheimer’s Association.
About Westminster
Established in 1967, Westminster is Austin’s premier retirement community. Operating as a not-for-profit community, Westminster is managed by Life Care Services LLC, and provides modern residences, state-of-the-art health care, and other amenities to residents seeking comfortable and culturally enriching lifestyles in the city center. Westminster has achieved a 5-star ranking for more than 15 years from the Center for Medicare Services and Top Workplace honors from the Austin American-Statesman for 10 years. For more information, call (512) 454-4711 or visit www.westminsteraustintx.org and follow Westminster on Facebook and Instagram @WestminsterAustin.
About Alzheimer’s Texas
Alzheimer’s Texas provides information, referrals, and a variety of support programs for those with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, and their family members, caregivers and professionals. Alzheimer’s Texas has proudly served Central Texas since 1982. Learn more about our programs and services.
