This week on LCTV’s “Discover The Dale”, Sara sat down to chat with Bob O’Connor, Marketing and Development Director of The Dale Association, about all of the ways people can get involved with The Dale.

This episode revealed the show’s new intro and jingle, written by Western New York’s Ken Kaufman. The song really encompasses all The Dale is about. With the jingle, we also decided to change from “Discovering The Dale Association” to “Discover The Dale”. It might not seem like the biggest change, but now makes the show more of a call to action to come out and see what is going on at The Dale. A huge thank you to Ken for writing and producing the song that we all get to enjoy at the beginning of the show!

Now how can people discover The Dale?

Bob works a lot with the community and our sponsors, both a big part of The Dale. What does sponsorship mean for the organization?

Sponsorships are critical for The Dale’s Senior Centre, but also benefit the sponsor and the community. We have almost 900 members that come in and out throughout the year, viewing the logo posters and slideshow in the lobby that goes through our monthly programming and ads from sponsors. Sponsors also have their logo in our monthly newsletter, which is sent out to all of our members. Within the timespan of COVID, we transitioned from a bi-monthly newsletter to monthly, increasing communication with our members, which in turn increases how often the members see sponsors. On top of the newsletter, sponsors’ names run at the end of every LCTV show and depending on the sponsorship level, they get a show of their own!

Our social media platforms are also a great way to connect sponsors to the community through The Dale. Facebook and YouTube were both a huge help during the pandemic, allowing us to communicate with the public even when our doors were closed or programs were limited. We were even able to hold certain events like the Meat Raffle virtually, posting it on Facebook Live and YouTube! Sponsors were able to get a full ad in the show, which is still posted on our page for people to view. Even through the pandemic, we still found ways to deliver.

To quote Bob, “The struggle was real, but we kept pushing.”

Our sponsors’ support helps us with the Senior Centre’s programming, events, and building maintenance, while we can market their organization, and the community gets information on all of the services that are available – a win, win, win!

When someone sponsors The Dale, 100% of the money goes right to the Senior Centre. This support has always been important to us, but this past year we have seen how vital they are to the organization. We almost expected sponsorship to drop down this year, but all of our sponsors continued to support us, while we did what we could to get their names out in the community while having limitations on our programs and events. Neither of us disappeared, showing how important our sponsors are to The Dale.

Below is all of the information on each sponsorship level – if you have any questions or would like to become a sponsor of The Dale, please contact Bob O’Connor at 433-1886 or robert.oconnor@daleassociation.com.

Sponsorship Attributes and Benefits:

Silver Level Sponsorship ($1,200/year):

-Annual guest appearance on “Discover The Dale Association” cable show

-A full-color ad on our in-house Senior Centre lobby TV (M-F, 8 hour continuous loop)

-Your logo on our website events page with a hot link to your website

-Recognition of your support on table tent cards in Senior Centre dining room

-Full-color print ad in our Power Up monthly newsletter (circa 1000)

-Display space for your brochures at our Lockport Senior Centre

-Complimentary resource table at our Lockport Senior Centre to display your business materials— twice per month, promotion of dates in our Power Up, in-house TV and schedule, Facebook and website-Annual guest column, up to 400 words, in our Power Up bi-monthly newsletter
-Guest speaking opportunity at our Senior Centre once per year with Dale marketing
assistance to promote

Gold Level Sponsorship ($3,000/year):
-All attributes of the Silver Level Sponsorship packages (outlined above), plus:
-Additional guest appearance on “Discover The Dale Association” cable show
-Annual guest column, up to 400 words on our website
-Complimentary use of  large Senior Centre meeting room annually, to be scheduled and
promoted by The Dale Association
-Two complimentary tickets to The Dale Association Special Event of your choice
-The Dale Association speaker at your place of business once per year (topics include: Mental Health Wellness, Caregiver Support, Dale services)

Diamond Level Sponsorship ($5,000/year):
–All attributes of the Silver and Gold Level Sponsorship
packages (outlined above), plus:
-Naming Rights to the Dale Senior Centre room of your choice (subject to
availability), or Dial-A-Lift vehicle to include press release, signage and
ribbon cutting

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Sponsorship isn’t the only way to support The Dale!

Our members are truly the backbone of the Senior Centre – without them, we wouldn’t be where we are today.

There are a few different things you can do to learn more about membership at The Dale. The person you want to talk to is our host, Sara! You can call her at 433-1886 with any questions or to set up a time to come in and tour the building. Our website, www.daleassociation.com, and the Lockport Union Sun & Journal have our program schedules on a monthly/weekly basis.

This past year, we have seen the negative ways social isolation can impact individuals. The Dale dedicated itself to making sure that we could provide a safe place to socialize at low risk. Since our re-opening in July 2020, we were able to bring back chair exercise, daily lunch, pool, members bingo, dominos, sewing, and scrabble, while also starting new programs like book discussion and functional fitness. We started a technology series, returning this fall, and offer technology support for all of our members. On top of the great programs, members receive discounts on trips, classes, and with our community partners, listed below.

Membership is $50 for the whole year, $25 for veterans. Your yearly membership includes:

* Discounts on most of The Dale Association’s programs, classes and trips

* Our monthly newsletter mailed to your house, giving you advance notice of events and programs

* Technology services (call ahead to make an appointment!)

* Discounted ticket prices at the University of Buffalo’s Center for the Arts events

* 1 Free Small Popcorn at the Palace Theatre with a purchase of an admission ticket

* 15% discount at Fieldstone Restaurant with card

* 15% discount on nutraMetrix supplements from Sandy Harmon, RN LNC

* 10% off Lockport Home Medical products (Cash Only)

* 10% off SNAP Fitness Membership in Wrights corners

* CFCU Ice Arena – $1.00 open skate (excludes Friday night), $20 off Birthday Party

* Aero Transportation (taxi service, airport shuttles, and medical transportation including a wheelchair lift van) will give Dale members at 10% discount on cash rides.

* Discount at Marie’s Sewing Center

* $7 Power Wash on Robinson Rd.

 

 

One of our long-standing programs is Memory Minders, a program for individuals in the early stages of memory loss and dementia. The program runs Mondays and Fridays 10-2 where participants play mind games, do crafts, practice cooking and baking skills, and get to socialize. This also provides a comfort for caregivers, knowing that their loved ones will be cared for two days a week for a few hours. While everyone suffered from the social isolation, we saw it hit our memory care participants the most. When we brought Memory Minders back after closing for a few months, we saw a lot of confusion surrounding the pandemic and more difficulty with certain parts of the program. After getting back into their routine of coming in two days a week, we saw the socializing and activities help them get back to where they were before the shutdown. Unfortunately, there is no cure for dementia or memory loss, but there are resources and ways to slow the progression of the disease. If you or a loved one are experiencing early stages of memory loss, call Angie Crawshaw at 433-1886 for a screening.

The Dale’s mission is to help people live the best life for as long as they can and we are truly dedicated to it. We fought through COVID-19 to make sure that our members still had necessary resources and socialization during a confusing, difficult period in time. The Dale wouldn’t be able to help the people we help without our sponsors or members, so please consider joining today!

 

To watch Bob and Sara’s show, go to: LCTV On Demand