ALSA-EC_AnnualNewsletter_2019-2020 PAGES

Thinking back to when I first started as Executive Director in January 2019, I remember one long-time
volunteer tell me that “being a nice person is a risk factor for developing ALS” — a statement that couldn’t be
any truer. As I travel around the Evergreen Chapter’s broad service area, I’m struck by the kindness and dignity of
the people I meet who have ALS. Meeting our PALS (people with ALS) and their families keeps me focused on the
profound task of serving this organization. I am humbled and honored to represent the Evergreen Chapter and
want to thank the following groups:
• The incredible staff of the Evergreen Chapter — if you took pencil to paper to describe what a committed,
honest and passionate staff looks like, you would come up with our team. When our care services coordinators
see PALS hurting, I can tell you firsthand, they are broken;
and when a member of our fundraising team doesn’t hit her
financial goals, she is broken, thinking it will impact patient
services. This is the staff you want in your corner and I thank
my lucky stars every day for each of them.
• The Evergreen Chapter Board of Directors — we’ve gone
through key transitions this year and I’m excited as we
chart a new path. I would like to give a shout out to Jean
Gronewald, Merilyn Moore, Susan Shay and Dave Foucault
who have generously shared their wisdom with me these
past few months.
• Our community partners — our compassionate
clinic teams, our caring vendors, and our committed
corporate sponsors who make a merciless disease a bit
more tolerable.
• Our volunteers and donors — the cornerstone of the
Evergreen Chapter. Their generosity of time, talent
and treasure make our work to support PALS possible.
• And especially, the people with ALS, who inspire us
to work harder each day.
I look forward to working with all of you in 2020.
Best regards,
Pauline Proulx
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Coming in 2020:
Caregiver Boot Camps
The Evergreen Chapter is planning
Caregiver Boot Camps throughout our
service area next year. The Boot Camps
will provide 3-4 hours of essential,
frontline training for caregivers, focusing
on building confidence through best
practices, hands-on training, community
connections, and resource navigation.
Dates and locations to be determined.
Contact the Evergreen office at
425-656-1650 if you or your group
would like to host a Boot Camp.
ALSA-EC.ORG • ALS Association Evergreen Chapter | 5