Gooding Group in the Nation’s Top 50 Donors to The Alzheimer’s Association

John Gooding, dedicated more than 40 years of his life to the Gooding Group, Ephrata, Pa., which consists of NRCA Member companies GSM Roofing and GSM Industrial. However, in 2014 he changed his focus to caring for and supporting his wife, Mary, who suffered from Alzheimer’s disease.

The disease is a progressively worsening brain disorder that affects memory and cognitive thinking. This disease is characterized by deepening stages of dementia, and its victims often wander and are disoriented. It is estimated more than 5 million people in the U.S. currently suffer from Alzheimer’s disease.

The Alzheimer’s Association provides vital services and support to those individuals struggling with the disease, their families and caregivers. The Greater Pennsylvania Chapter serves 59 countries in western, central and northeastern Pennsylvania.

In 2014, GSM Roofing and GSM Industrial formed GSM Memory Marchers in honor of Mary Gooding. In its first year, GSM Memory Marchers came in first place in the state of Pennsylvania and in the top 50 in the nation with donations for The Alzheimer’s Association, with a total of $33,400 raised.

Mary Gooding’s battle with Alzheimer’s ended Feb. 11, 2015.

According to GSM Memory Marchers Walk to End Alzheimer’s page, “We are walking to raise funds and awareness to end this devastating disease. The community provided us with overwhelming support in our initial walk and we are hoping to surpass last year’s success. As a group, we want to show John that we care and can make a difference in battling this disease.”

As of September 25, 2015, GSM Memory Marchers have raised $52,206.

The 16^th annual Walk to End Alzheimer’s proved to be the most successful yet, with more than $190,000 raised.

In addition, this year on the Summer Solstice, June 20, Mary Gooding’s son Reed is leading #AnHour4Alz a movement to raise awareness and unprecedented funds for the care, support and research efforts of the Alzheimer’s Association.  I’m going to ask every working person in America to donate 1 hour of their paycheck to the Alzheimer’s Association to support the caregivers and to work to find a cure for Alzheimer’s disease. For more information visit act.alz.org/site/TR?team_id=321755&fr_id=8480&pg=team.