NEED TO KNOW
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Sally Phillips donated $90,000 to the YMCA of Central Florida in 2024 in memory of her late husband, Ken Titus.
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The donation supports programs for Alzheimer’s patients, including fitness classes and a heated pool available year-round for activities.
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Phillips expressed that this gift honors her husband’s memory and inspires others to embrace life fully.
A woman is commemorating her late husband through a significant donation to a place that holds special meaning for her.
Sally Phillips, at 81, contributed $90,000 to the YMCA of Central Florida, which offered both physical activity and social engagement for her husband Ken Titus after he was diagnosed with dementia, as reported by Florida Today.
Phillips indicated that the donation, which was made in 2024, will help preserve Titus’s spirit. The couple from Cocoa, Florida, frequently visited the YMCA following Titus’s Alzheimer’s diagnosis, a condition characterized by a gradual decline in memory and thinking abilities, according to the Alzheimer’s Association.
Phillips dedicated herself to keeping Titus involved in the world until his passing in September 2021.
“I dressed him nicely so that people would compliment him — it helped keep him social,” Phillips recalled in her conversation with Florida Today. “We made it a point to go out every day in the last five years of his life and truly enjoyed ourselves. Each day was a new adventure.”
Of the donation, $10,000 was allocated for a free chair-fitness class tailored for those living with dementia, available at the Parrish Health & Fitness Center, which is run by the YMCA of Central Florida.
The remainder of the funds went toward adding a pool heater at the Titusville YMCA Family Center, ensuring the pool remains accessible year-round for swim lessons, family activities, and programs for Alzheimer’s patients and their caregivers, regardless of the season.
This generous donation will also assist the YMCA in providing more social activities that promote brain health.
“Increased interaction with others is crucial for brain health,” stated Dr. Visalakshi Srinivasan, a geriatrician from Health First Medical Group, in an interview with Florida Today.
Phillips emphasized that her contribution to the YMCA is rooted in love and optimism.
“There’s really no reason to be bored. Step out and enjoy life. It’s a choice. So, choose to live life to the fullest,” she encouraged.
