Made from the Heart - White Oaks at McHenry

Doreen’s mother, Barb, has lived at White Oaks at McHenry (Memory Care Community) for about two years. Doreen has three siblings: Victoria, Matt and Lenny. Through visits to the community, the family has bonded with the residents, team members and resident family members. They visit regularly and have developed a following. Residents are attracted to the friendship, laughter and kinship that continues to grow over time. The group often works on projects and has created bird feeders along with other fun projects. When they are at work in the community, everyone wants to join the fun and to Doreen, “They have become my family.”

In December of 2024, one of our very artistic residents named Randee approached Doreen and wanted a new project to work on. Randee suggested making bracelets. With no idea how to put these together, Doreen found herself on YouTube and taught herself how to make beaded bracelets. The pair started out with one trip to a local craft supply box store and from there, the movement began. The two gathered twice a week, on Wednesdays and Fridays and with each gathering, the group grew. Additional family members of residents, grandchildren and residents of all abilities wanted to take part in this crafting adventure. Doreen was able to make adjustments for residents, such as counting out the beads beforehand or organizing colors so persons of all abilities could complete a bracelet. Doreen did not initially start this journey as a fundraiser. It was purely out of her desire to share joy throughout the community. At some point, everyone was perhaps a bit surprised at how beautiful the bracelets turned out. Passerbys were interested in buying the bracelets right off the wrists of residents and a lightbulb went off. Doreen decided to bring the project to The Longest Day on behalf of the Alzheimer’s Association.  

She brought the idea to Debbie France, Executive Director & Director of Nursing at White Oaks. Debbie embraced the initiative. A flyer was created to support the sales, and ‘Vohasek and Friends Made from the Heart Fundraiser” took flight. Doreen began with a goal of earning $5000 for the cause and has had support from her siblings, her husband and many family members of White Oaks. Some have given funds or purchased beads to donate, others have donated time crafting and still others have physically welded and donated the jewelry stands. It has been inspiring to witness a community filled with passion come together for a cause. Doreen’s family fights in memory of their late father, Leonard, who passed of Alzheimer’s Disease and in honor of their mother, Barb and all of the friends they’ve come to love at White Oaks. 

With a lofty goal of $5000 to raise, Doreen has been shopping local deals and steals to make the most of the fundraising. All sales are donated, with no funds being used to pay for supplies. With this in mind, she has been traveling the crafting circuit for several months and this is where Doreen met a woman, she now calls her angel. Nicole met Matt, the family goofball, in the beading aisle and was greeted with “Save some beads for the rest of us!” It didn’t take long for the fundraiser to become the topic of conversation and Nicole was inspired to contribute in a BIG way. She donated completed pieces to include 200 bracelets, 100 earring sets and two boxes with about 50 pounds of beads in each box. She has attended bead sales and contributed shopping bags and supplies such as elastic to complete the bracelets.

The fundraiser also spread to local McHenry retailers and the bracelets are on sale at The Trend Celler on Riverside Drive. Store owner, Carol Chrisman, owns another boutique and donated necklaces which Doreen has since taken apart and created stunning bracelets from. 

The movement continues to make an impact and watching from the sidelines as it creates inclusion, friendship and purpose has been a gift to the entire community. In a short time, sales have reached $1500 and there are still several scheduled events to come. White Oaks is simply housing the venue for creative crafting, while the individuals bonded like family are responsible for this incredible adventure. Thank you to Doreen, Victoria, Matt, Lenny, and the countless others who have given in one way or another in support of the work of the Alzheimer’s Association.

Create your own fundraiser TODAY and outshine the darkness of Alzheimer's.

The Longest Day® is the day with the most light – the summer solstice. Join us to fight Alzheimer's through a fundraising activity of your choice on a day that works for you. The funds you raise advance the care, support and research efforts of the Alzheimer's Association. https://act.alz.org/site/SPageServer?pagename=the_longest_day