By KELLEN TANIGUCHI on July 7, 2021.
ktaniguchi@medicinehatnews.com@@kellentaniguchi The second annual Mick Nieman Memorial Golf Tournament is set to tee off on Aug. 7, and this year there won’t be any COVID-19 restrictions. Sisters Nicole Ambrosi and Wendy Weiss started the tournament last year to raise funds for the Alzheimer Society of Alberta and Northwest Territories in memory of their dad who passed away from Alzheimer’s in 2014. “Our dad was, I think we’ve described him as larger than life,” said Ambrosi. “He was very community minded, he was a relationship person and the people he came into contact with, friends, family, he was a rancher, and he was also a policeman, so he had a wide range of connections with the community and he always was about having fun and making sure the people around him had fun.” The sisters wanted to have a fun event and find a way to keep their father’s legacy going and honour the life he had. A grandmother and grandfather in their family were also diagnosed with the disease, so it’s a cause close to their hearts. The first tournament raised $35,000 in donations for the Alzheimer Society – one of the biggest community-based fundraisers for the society in 2020. With COVID restrictions no more, the sisters say they would be happy to raise a higher total this year, but it’s more about the awareness. “We’re hoping for it to be as successful and we’re hoping for it to be another day and evening of fun, stories and sharing. We’ve sold out already for the golf this year, we’ve had lots of hole sponsors, live and silent auction donations. Obviously, we’re hoping we can raise as much money this year or even better, but for us it’s more about raising awareness and about honouring our dad,” said Ambrosi. Weiss echoed her sister’s comments and said it’s more about getting out in the community and raising awareness that way. “It is a fundraiser and that’s important in honouring our dad, but it’s really to about bringing the community together and the people that are there. That’s really important to us because that’s a legacy we can continue on for our dad, just bringing people together in the community to have fun, lean on one another and support one another,” she said. Ambrosi says Alzheimer’s has been devastating for the family and at the time they didn’t know what was available or coming next. She adds it would have been nice to know what family supports there for her mom and other family members were because grieving during Alzheimer’s is a long process. Erin Martyshuk, associate lead of philanthropy with the Alzheimer Society of Alberta and N.W.T., says the funds raised by the golf tournament allow them to provide free educational programs and support services to those diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, as well as their families. “In addition to the much-needed funds, the awareness this tournament provides for the society and people living with dementia is priceless. All funds raised stay local to help families in living right in your community,” said Martyshuk. Anyone interested in attending the banquet dinner at Ralph’s Texas Bar and Steakhouse, donating auction prizes, bidding on auction prizes or just donating money to the memorial fund can do so by reaching out to mickniemanmemorial@gmail.com. 14
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