Lollygaggers Raise Over $55,000 for Alzheimer's Research

Jodie Simpson and Lynn Richards, residents of Walnut Grove's Chartwell Green 55-plus community, have been tirelessly collecting returnable bottles and cans to raise funds for the Alzheimer Society of B.C. The amateur fundraisers, who refer to themselves as the "lollygaggers," have collected over $55,000, which they estimate is equivalent to 10 years of fundraising efforts, including 8 years of recycling at their community. Their initiatives include collecting returnable bottles and cans, hosting haircuts, 50-50 draws, and selling cookie dough.

Key Takeaways:

• The lollygaggers have raised over $55,000 for the Alzheimer Society of B.C., which is estimated to be equivalent to 10 years of fundraising efforts.
• They have been collecting returnable bottles and cans every Wednesday for over 8 years, with an average of five bags collected, growing to six bags over time.
• The initiative started when Jodie Simpson's nieces decided to volunteer to raise funds to help fight Alzheimer's, which has affected their family members.
• The lollygaggers have hosted various events, including haircuts, 50-50 draws, cookie dough sales, and have also collected funds from these events.
• Jodie Simpson and Lynn Richards have shaved their heads for the cause, with a six-year-old son of one of Jodie's nieces and a few other friends also participating.
• The haircuts alone have raised an additional $6,000, and the team aims to increase funds raised every year.

Statistics:

• The lollygaggers have raised over $55,000 for the Alzheimer Society of B.C.
• They have collected over $10,000 in returnable bottles and cans.
• The average weekly collection has grown from five to six bags over the past months.
• The haircuts alone have raised an additional $6,000.

Sources:

• Langley Advance Times