Dancing out of her comfort zone for The Longest Day
This San Jose resident turned her love of dance into a successful fundraiser.
While Ai-chu Wang has been dancing all of her life, she’d never hosted a large fundraiser. Peining Chang, Community Outreach Specialist with the Alzheimer’s Association, suggested that Ai-chu turn her love of dance into an event for The Longest Day.
A passion for dance
Ai-chu is involved in several dance-related organizations and has many friends who dance. She also has a passion for supporting the Alzheimer’s Association. Ai-chu had reached out to the Association when she was a long-distance caregiver for her mom, who had Alzheimer’s.
After considering Peining’s suggestion, Ai-chu decided to host a dance assembly for The Longest Day. Ai-chu put together an event involving international folk dance, line dancing and Zumba. This allowed participants to take part in familiar dances, as well as some that were new to them.
Finding partners
Peining and Ai-Chu
First Ai-chu contacted three major dance organizations with which she has been involved: the California Line Dance Association of America, Silicon Valley Folk Dance Club and Organization of Chinese American Women. These groups like to support activities that benefit good causes.
Ai-chu shared her idea with each group’s leadership and asked if they would like to support the event. All three groups immediately said yes. This initial support gave Ai-chu more confidence that the event would be successful.
Working out the logistics
The next task was to find a large indoor facility to rent for an affordable rate. She secured space in Saratoga at a venue that discounted the rental fee for nonprofit events.
Family and friends helped Ai-chu create the promotional materials. The dance organizations shared the information with their members. Ai-chu invited her friends and social groups.
Setting a goal
Initially, Ai-chu set her fundraising goal at $2,000. “I wasn’t sure I could raise $2,000,” shared Ai-chu. “I had never really done any fundraising.”
Ai-chu did not set a particular donation amount for event attendees. She encouraged people to come and exercise and help raise awareness about Alzheimer’s.
“Just come, you don’t have to donate,” Ai-chu told people. “If you’re willing to donate, that will be a bonus. The more that people know about the Alzheimer’s Association and how it can help families, the better it will be for our community.”
Early fundraising success
People started responding right away, which excited Ai-chu. One of her friends donated $1,000 to support the event and to help Ai-chu get off to a good start.
Someone else she knew donated $3,000, which was a big boost. Ai-chu’s brother, who lives in Los Angeles, also contributed.
Ai-chu raised her goal to $5,000 and kept increasing it more as people donated. She raised over $15,000 for Alzheimer’s care, support and research.
It all came together
Dance participants
On the day of the event, Ai-chu wasn’t sure how many people would participate. Forty people had signed up in advance, but over 70 people attended. Many brought donations.
The event agenda included three separate dance sessions led by volunteer instructors. The Organization of Chinese American Women and other friends provided drinks and snacks.
After the dancing, guests had an opportunity to mingle with each other. They were also able to learn more about Alzheimer’s Association programs and services.
Many of the participants had experience with folk dancing, line dancing or Zumba, but not all three. They got a good workout and enjoyed the opportunity to learn a different type of dance.
The three-hour event was a great success. Ai-chu appreciated all of the people who participated. She also had friends who donated, even though they could not attend.
Watch a short video from the event:
The generosity of friends
Ai-chu was very moved by the individuals who supported her efforts. Some friends secured matching gifts from their employers.
One of Ai-chu’s friends has a large loquat tree. The friend climbed the tree to gather the fruit and sold it. She donated her sales, $600, to Ai-chu’s event.
Helping others make a difference
In encouraging people to donate, Ai-chu shared how the Alzheimer’s Association helps families in our community. She also connected them with the potential of research funded by the Alzheimer’s Association.
“Whether or not Alzheimer’s has affected your family, you are making an investment in yourself,” believes Ai-chu. “Our goal is to find a way to prevent, treat or cure Alzheimer’s. I hope that while we are still alive, we see that result. We can also hope that someday the next generation will not have to worry about this disease.”
Tips for others
Dancing to #ENDALZ
For those thinking about participating in The Longest Day, Ai-chu shared some suggestions:
- Use the tools provided by the Alzheimer’s Association after you register. The direct deposit tool made accepting check donations easy and helped to expedite processing.
- Recruit others to help you. Ai-chu’s daughter, Annie, helped from setting up the registration page through until the last donation was processed.
- Reach out to the Alzheimer’s Association staff and volunteers if you have questions. Ai-chu mentioned that she received helpful support from Peining and Steven Krzanowski, Constituent Events Manager.
- Consider whether it is best to suggest a particular fee or just ask people to donate.
- Keep in mind that the event will raise awareness, as well as funds for the Alzheimer’s Association. Appreciate all of your donors, no matter what amount they are able to donate.
- Don’t put too much pressure on yourself, especially if it’s your first time participating. Have fun.
Ai-chu reflected on what helped her be successful. “I’m very happy that I was able to take an activity that I have loved for so long and use it as a tool to raise funds for such a good cause,” she shared. “I could not have accomplished this goal without the support and generosity of my friends, family and the dance community.”
Register for The Longest Day and we’ll help you turn your favorite activity into a fundraiser for Alzheimer’s research, care and support.
Learn more:
- The Longest Day
- Learn more about The Longest Day Volunteer Planning Committee
- See highlights from others who participated in The Longest Day in 2018
- Read about Ai-chu’s experience at the Alzheimer’s Association Advocacy Forum
