Life before Alzheimer’s San Diego
Michelle Van Hoff has been at our organization since 2016 and in the nonprofit sector for over twenty years, but her journey began outside of San Diego. Having grown up in Seattle, she graduated from Washington State University and then got into fundraising by accident. She had an internship through the YWCA and was in charge of running their first walk fundraiser, which sparked her interest and led her to opportunities on the other side of the country. Michelle spent time in Washington, DC for a part of her career before coming over to California, first living in NorCal before her husband’s job brought them to San Diego. “Alzheimer’s has been a cause close to my heart, and once I heard about this organization being 100% local, I was sold,” says Michelle as to why she joined Alzheimer’s San Diego.
Organizing Events & Other Responsibilities
Michelle’s main responsibilities revolve around overseeing the Development department, which includes a few different things, one being organizing fundraising events like our Visionary Luncheon & Auction, Rides4ALZ, and Walk4ALZ. Her department also handles donations, major gifts, and sponsorships. She also adds that “fundraising has changed so much since the start of my career, focused more on event fundraising at the start and now more about major gifts and grant funding. Over the years, I have had to change and adapt to not only how to fundraise, but work with the change in our economy and to think outside of the box.” She hopes that she can continue to bring in funds so that the organization can expand the free services we offer to the community.
What Michelle enjoys in her role is seeing how we help families and then seeing them donating so that their money can help other families. “When I hear or are told stories about our impact whether it’s the clinical side, education or volunteers, I am able to report to our donors the impact our organization is making.” She also credits our marketing department for helping with fundraising events, and the grants department for diversifying funds for the organization.
Michelle’s Perspective
Michelle has multiple connections to dementia, her grandmother had dementia and her mother was recently diagnosed as well. Before joining the team, Michelle believed all dementia was the same, but quickly learned that there are more than 100 types, with Alzheimer’s disease being the most common. She recommends care partners and families reach out, even if they believe they have a handle on caregiving and their situation, as the disease is ever changing and having more help is always a benefit.
The events Michelle organizes are coming up soon! Rides4ALZ is on July 8th, and Walk4ALZ is on October 21st. Register for those events and begin fundraising, as 100% of the money stays local to help families in San Diego. You may also see our services page or call us at 858.492.4400 to speak to a Clinical Care Coach.
By Braulio Ambriz
