2024 Annual Newsletter & Impact Report
Heart Beat
The Annual Newsletter of the Joe Martin ALS Foundation
December 2024
Reflections from JMALSF President Neil Cottrell
Dear Friends,
As I look back on this year, one word really comes to mind: determination. Every day, I'm reminded of how much it takes to live with ALS, and how our community faces this challenge head-on with incredible grit and heart.
TV and Broadway performer Aaron Lazar, during his Impossible Dream performances, shared how he's been determined to live fully, moment by moment, since his ALS diagnosis. His message of hope and his drive to raise awareness for ALS touched us all. Aaron's story shows that no matter the circumstances, we can still find purpose, joy, and ways to lift others up.
At our Live Every Day Dinner, Andrea Lytle Peet, our keynote speaker, told her inspiring story of determination. For the past 10 years, she's worked toward completing a marathon in all 50 states while living with ALS. Her strength and perseverance show us all that even when the road ahead looks difficult, it's still possible to push through and achieve something extraordinary.
That same spirit of determination shone through at our first-ever Joe's Camp & Hike, where teens impacted by ALS pushed themselves to hike up to nine miles a day. But what was even more powerful was how they opened up and shared their personal ALS journeys with one another, finding strength and connection along the way. It was a weekend filled with resilience, friendship, and determination.
I'm beyond grateful for the chance to witness these stories of resilience and strength. It's thanks to supporters like you that we're able to keep offering our FREE services and support to those living with ALS. Together, we're making a difference, and I'm excited to carry this mission forward into the coming year.
Thank you for being a part of this community.
With Gratitude,
Neil Cottrell
President, The Joe Martin ALS Foundation
Impact Report | 2024
Determined to Make a Difference
Cost Savings Reported by the families we serve
(average savings per family)
Home Care
$9,360
per year
Wheelchair Van Transportation:
$3,600
per year
Equipment:
$300-400
per item
Delivering Exceptional ALS Care and Support in 2024
Each year, we share insights from our Client Satisfaction Survey, highlighting how our free services provide financial relief, empower people living with ALS (PALS), and support their families. In this year's survey, 100% of respondents rated JMALSF's role in their lives as Important or Very Important, with the same percentage reporting that our services positively impact their quality of life and mental health.
What Families are saying:
- "The Foundation has helped us not feel alone."
- "I am pleased to see JMALSF expanding to my Greensboro area where it will be able to make a greater impact on families like mine."
- "The caregiver meetings are an excellent resource."
- "The workshops, education, loaner items, and encouragement from the JMALSF staff is very important to us."
"The support shown by our caregiver in helping in any way possible, as well as the help from volunteers, as well as the CEO, who has stepped in as needed to help with transportation and any other needs within the foundation's scope, have all been very important and helpful to us over these past years."
- Spouse of a PALS served by JMALSF
Awareness and Partnerships:
Raising awareness about ALS is one of our top priorities. We're deeply thankful to our supporters and friends across the communities we serve for helping spread the word about our mission! Here are a few highlights from this year:
- Two events, starring TV and Broadway star Aaron Lazar, in Charlotte and Greensboro, brought ALS Awareness to 800 guests, and raised more than $71,000 for our mission.
- On Lou Gehrig Day (June 2nd) we were honored to throw the first pitch at the Charlotte Knights game with PALS Zach and his son Roman and share our story with PALS, supporters, and the Knights' fans in attendance.
- JMALSF, ALSA, and ALS United NC worked together to bring JMALSF's Joe's Camp, and our first ever, Joe's Camp & Hike to our kids and teens whose lives have been impacted by ALS, strengthening our bond with these two organizations.
purpose. joy. hope
Financial Summary
Interim Report for finances from January 1st - October 15th, 2024.
JMALSF ensures PALS like Judy (pictured here with her daughters) have reliable, free wheelchair-accessible transportation for social outings, clinic, and doctor visits. We're proud to keep PALS active and connected in Charlotte and the Piedmont Triad, with 58 trips across NC this year!
Expenses
Program Services & Growth
$327,699.11
(In-home caregiving, wheelchair-accessible transportation, education and caregiver workshops, respite services, Joe's Camp, education and advocacy activities)
Administration Costs
$89,902.89
(Management, fundraising, and administrative costs)
Total Expenses
$417,602.00
Income
Total Income
$390,931.59
Total Income to date including individual giving, grants and foundations, and in-kind goods and services
Services We've Provided This Year
0
Client visits for in-person home caregiving support0
PALS and families helped with ALS-specialized support, in-home care and transportation.0
Home accessibility assessments0
Wheelchair transportation trips0
Equipment loans0
Kids and teens who attended Joe's Camps0
Caregiver and PALS who attended in-person and online caregiver workshops0
Individual and family consultations and support sessions
JMALSF caregiver Landon assists PALS Jose with range of motion exercises, while caregiver Lynne pampers PALS Asia with a pedicure. Each PALS receives six hours of free, inhome care weekly from dedicated caregivers who support them with daily tasks like bathing, dressing, exercises, and even a bit of pampering-ensuring compassionate care at every step.
Our equipment loaner program provides PALS with critical items like wheelchairs, shower chairs, and Hoyer lifts at no cost, saving families hundreds of dollars each year.
We launched an exciting new program this year, Joe's Camp & Hike, a backpacking trip for teens ages 14-17 whose lives have been impacted by ALS. Our inaugural experience was incredible, with teens forming meaningful connections while hiking together and sharing their unique ALS journeys.
100% of our board members proudly support our mission, both in leadership and financially.
Our Mission
The Joe Martin ALS Foundation's mission is to empower families as they face the challenge of living actively with ALS by providing home care and other services at no cost.
We Believe
We believe a strong support net can help people living with ALS (PALS) and their families obtain the best caregiving techniques, equipment, and bolster their will to fight this disease.