Retirement Connection

03/17/2026

☘️ Happy St. Patrick's Day! ☘️ But do you know WHY we celebrate?

Most people think it's just about green beer and lucky clovers, but the real story is way more interesting!

Who was St. Patrick?

He wasn't even Irish! Born in Roman Britain around 385 AD, Patrick was kidnapped at 16 and brought to Ireland as a slave. After escaping, he had a vision calling him back as a Christian missionary. He spent 30 years spreading Christianity across Ireland, and when he died on March 17, 461 AD, that date became his feast day. St. Patrick used the three-leafed shamrock to explain the Holy Trinity, that's how it became such an iconic symbol!

Why do WE celebrate?

Irish immigrants fleeing the Great Famine in the 1840s brought the holiday to America. The first St. Patrick's Day parade was in New York City in 1762, and today it's celebrated in over 50 countries worldwide.

Whether you're Irish or just Irish for the day, happy St. Paddy's Day! ☘️ 🇮🇪

03/11/2026

Today Erin and Amy from our team met with staffers from Senator Merkley's office. The Senator and his staff are always willing to hear new information, listen to personal accounts, and ask detailed questions. Together we are working to support the 60k in Oregon living with Alzheimer's Disease. Senator Jeff Merkley Alzheimer's Association - Oregon & Southwest Washington Chapter CareAvailability

Our Goals:
1) MOST IMPORTANT- THANK YOU- FY26 Appropriations
Thank you for supporting the $100 million increase in FY26 for Alzheimer’s and dementia research at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), as well as the $41.5 million dedicated to continuing implementation of the BOLD Infrastructure for Alzheimer’s Act at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

2) ASAP Act
Please cosponsor the bipartisan Alzheimer’s Screening and Prevention (ASAP) Act, which represents a potentially transformative step toward leveraging diagnostic innovation for earlier Alzheimer’s disease detection. The bill would give the HHS Secretary authority to provide Medicare coverage for routine dementia blood test screening.

3) Credit for Caring Act
Please cosponsor the bipartisan Credit for Caring Act (S. 925/H.R. 2036), which would provide much needed financial relief to family caregivers, including those caring for people with Alzheimer’s and other dementia.

4) ADDAPT Act - not yet to the Senate Floor, currently in the house.
Please cosponsor the Accelerating Access to Dementia & Alzheimer’s Provider Training (AADAPT) Act which will empower primary care providers to better diagnose Alzheimer’s and other dementia and deliver high-quality, person-centered care in community-based settings.

Early detection saves lives. Caregivers deserve support. To take action and learn more visit alzimpact.org

03/11/2026

03/11/2026

What an unforgettable night! The Alzheimer's Association - Oregon & Southwest Washington Chapter Memories in the Making Gala brought our community together for an evening of purpose, powerful stories, and incredible generosity, and we are blown away by the support.

💜 Over $330,000 RAISED for the Alzheimer's Association! 💜

Memories in the Making is more than just a gala, the funds raised go directly toward programs, care support, and vital research in the pursuit of A World Without Alzheimer's. The evening featured incredible food, moving guest speakers, and a community that showed up wholeheartedly for a cause that matters deeply.

A heartfelt thank you to the amazing planning committee, especially our own Erin and Amy, whose vision, hard work, and dedication made every detail of this night possible. You are the backbone of this event. 🙌

Thank you to every donor, guest, and sponsor who helped make this night one for the books. 💜

03/08/2026

Happy International Women’s Day! Here’s to the powerful women on our team who bring talent and expertise to everything they do! Our ladies had an amazing night working towards A World Without Alzheimer’s at the Alzheimer's Association Memories in the Making Gala this weekend 💜 More photos of the event to come, so stay tuned!

03/03/2026

March is Women's History Month!

This year's theme, "Leading the Change: Women Shaping a Sustainable Future", reminds us that women have always been at the forefront of the movements that matter most. From climate justice to economic equity, healthcare to civic power, women are building the blueprints for a better world.

This March, let's honor the trailblazers of the past and amplify the changemakers of today. 💙

Learn more about the 2026 theme and how you can get involved:
👉 https://nationalwomenshistoryalliance.org/womens-history-theme-2026/

02/27/2026

We are officially one week away from the Alzheimer's Association - Oregon & Southwest Washington Chapter Memories in the Making Gala, and we couldn't be more excited! This week we had the privilege of attending the preview party to kick off the celebration and officially open the silent auction! It was a beautiful reminder of why this event matters so much.

The silent auction is NOW OPEN and you can start bidding at the link below!
👉 https://e.givesmart.com/events/LMg/

Every bid, every dollar gets us closer to a World Without Alzheimer's. We can’t wait to Paint The Night Purple. 💜

02/26/2026

02/23/2026

Our team showed up for whiskey, wine, and a whole lot of good, and it delivered on all fronts! 🥃🍷♿

We had an amazing time at A Caring Closet's Whiskey, Wine & Wheelchairs fundraiser last Friday. Think great drinks, exciting auctions, and a community rallying around something that really matters, providing free medical equipment to those who need it.

A special shoutout to our own Amy, who took the mic as auctioneer and led the paddle raise for the night- she absolutely crushed it! 👏 The total amount raised at the end of the night was $147,000, with more coming in still today!

Huge shoutout to the A Caring Closet team for putting on such an unforgettable event. Grateful to be part of it! 🙌

02/18/2026

Looking for a fun way to spend an afternoon while making a difference in your community? Look no further!

Join Retirement Connection at SWING fore PRO, a Topgolf fundraising event for Parkinson's Resources.

This is an afternoon of range-style golf fully protected from the weather, a tasty buffet, fun prizes, and a Closest to the Pin challenge. Now that's a winning day. Buffet and non-alcoholic drinks are included with tickets. Don't want to golf? Come as a spectator with a buffet included.

Sign up: https://loom.ly/dD9A_Zs

02/17/2026

Happy Lunar New Year! 🌟 As we welcome the Year of the Horse, let's embrace the change, passion, bold actions, and career growth that comes with the strength of the horse! 🐎 Gong Xi Fa Cai! (Wishing you wealth and prosperity!)

02/14/2026

Happy Valentine's Day! 💕

Today we're celebrating love in all its forms, the connections we cherish, the people we care about, and the moments that matter most.

Whether you're spending the day with family, friends, or taking time for yourself, we hope it's filled with warmth and joy.

Wishing you a wonderful Valentine's Day! 💙