Courtesy photo At right, members of the board of directors from the Gary Abrahmson, Jr. Memory Care Center pose for a photo outside the building. Shown above, from left are Board Member Sister Marie Kim Nguyen, SPC, Board Member Sister Gloria Schultz, SPC, Mary Uelmen (GAJMCC Building Manager/Adviser), President of the GAJMCC Board Sister Mary Ann Laurin, SPC, Board Member Paula Mineau, Sister Dorothea Jang of the Sisters of St. Paul de Chartres, Board Member Dr. Mary Whitmer, and Board Member Victoria LaFave. The following board members are not pictured: Father Eric Olson, Patricia Abrahamson, and Jeffrey Abrahamson.

ESCANABA — Delta County residents — who have shown their generosity over the years for The Gary Abrahamson, Jr. Memory Care Center — will have the opportunity to give again.

There is an envelope inserted in today’s Daily Press. People are encouraged to fill out the envelope with their donation, which will go toward general operating expenses of The Gary Abrahamson, Jr. Memory Care Center (GAJMCC).

“Any donation is greatly appreciated and will help maintain and sustain the buildings’ expenses,” GAJMCC Building Manager Mary Uelmen noted. “The donations will allow the Community Action Agency to continue their adult day care program in the building.”

Donations are especially needed at this time because the GAJMCC Board of Directors made the difficult decision to cancel the 2020 and 2021 Par-Tee Fundraiser events, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The annual Par-Tee raises money for the general operating expenses of the GAJMCC. 

The GAJMCC is a mission of The Sisters of St. Paul de Chartres, who also sponsor the Bishop Noa Home for Senior Citizens.

“We are doing our utmost to keep our mission of the Gary Abrahamson Jr. Memory Care Center alive, so we thank you for any ways that you are supporting us. Our hearts are truly grateful for the way you see the blessing that the Memory Care Center offers,” said Sister Gloria Schultz, SPC, Bishop Noa Home Director of Mission Advancement.

The GAJMCC has a mission to welcome strong, caring, wholesome partnerships, shared resources and support, with rich professional training and programming services to the community, especially to adult individuals most vulnerable and in need.

In partnership with Community Action Adult Day Services Program, the GAJMCC, located at 2635 1st Ave. South, serves individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementia-related illnesses. The Center also hosts guest speakers to meet the needs of many caregivers and others seeking help in the community.

“Educational presentations, which are always free and open to the public, were temporarily halted due to COVID-19 restrictions,” Uelmen said. “However, they will start up as soon as the restrictions on gatherings are lifted.”

Board Members of the GAJMCC include: Sister Mary Ann Laurin (board president), Sister Gloria Schultz, Sister Marie Kim Nguyen, Dr. Mary Whitmer, Father Eric Olson, Patricia Abrahamson, Jeffrey Abrahamson, Victoria LaFave, and Paula Mineau.

Uelmen also noted that all donations to the GAJMCC, no matter the amount, are always welcome. Simply mail your donation in the envelope enclosed in today’s edition of the Daily Press. Any future donations can also be mailed to: GAJMCC, Attention: Mary Uelmen, 2635 1st Ave. So., Escanaba MI 49829. For more information, search “Gary Abrahamson Jr. Memory Care Center” on Facebook, or call 906-786-5810, Ext. 150.