Puzzles To Remember: 2025

Puzzles To Remember

PUZZLES TO REMEMBER is a youth led 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to enhancing the lives of individuals living with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias through jigsaw puzzles, cognitive engagement, and social connection. Led by Executive Director Hailey Richman, Puzzles To Remember has distributed more than 236,000 puzzles valued at over $2 million to more than 5,000 memory care communities, nursing homes, veterans facilities, senior centers, and other organizations across all 50 states and 16 countries. Our programs have benefited more than one million people while diverting approximately 148 tons of puzzles from landfills through donation and reuse. Puzzles To Remember also promotes intergenerational connection through Puzzle Time, which brings young people together with individuals living with dementia for shared puzzle solving, conversation, and companionship. Our mission is to provide engaging and purposeful activities that promote connection, participation, and joy while enhancing the quality of life of those affected by dementia. Donate Puzzles If you have puzzles you would like to donate, please contact us at Puzzles2Remember@gmail.com. We will help identify a location where your puzzles can benefit individuals living with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias. Donation acknowledgment letters are available upon request.

Tuesday, May 27, 2025

Exciting News!

Exciting News! I’m incredibly honored to share that I have been named a 3rd Place Grand Award Winner at the 2025 Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) My project, “Using a Multimodal Approach of Aromatherapy and Jigsaw Puzzles to Improve the Emotional Well-Being of Geriatric Patients Living with Alzheimer’s Disease,” explored non-pharmaceutical interventions to enhance emotional states in memory care settings. Grateful to Society for Science, Regeneron, Dr. Serena McCalla who gave me an opportunity to showcase my findings and empowering me. I appreciate my mentor, Raymond Tesar for continuous encouragement and guidance with my research. Thankful to the communities that I work with through Kid Caregivers and Puzzles to Remember for their ongoing support. Sharing my work at ISEF alongside international peers committed to solving real-world problems strengthened my passion for using science to drive social impact.

Monday, May 12, 2025

How To Volunteer For Kid Caregivers/Puzzles To Remember

Every day I encounter young people that want to make a difference! If you would like to volunteer for our organization there are several options! 1. Set up a Puzzle Drive - Put large cardboard boxes in banks, libraries, office lobbies, schools, houses of worship, civic organizations, etc. Attach our flyer and request puzzle donations. Bring the puzzles to local memory care facilities! 2. Participate in Puzzle Time! Recruit 3-4 volunteers/friends and solve jigsaw puzzles for an hour, in a memory care facility in your area. We will provide the specialized jigsaw puzzles and help locate a facility. Visit the facility on a weekly/bi-weekly or monthly schedule. It is very rewarding! 3. Use social media to solicit donations of specialized therapeutic Alzheimer's puzzles (Springbok Puzzles To Remember puzzles). Bring the puzzles to memory care facilities/nursing homes/assisted living facilities. 4. Volunteer as a Peer Mentor to provide support for younger caregiving children 5. Become a youth Puzzle Ambassador - Recruit middle and high school students to participate in Puzzle Drives/Puzzle Time. Contact guidance counselors/administrators in local schools. (We have Puzzle Ambassadors in all 50 states and globally who can assist you!) 6. Become a Social Media Ambassador! We need to raise awareness on our websites/blogs. Run youth-led campaigns such as #caregivingstrong

WE CAN AWARD COMMUNITY SERVICE HOURS AND PRESIDENTIAL VOLUNTEER SERVICE MEDALS!

Thursday, April 24, 2025

Kid Caregivers: A Manual for Kids About Alzheimer's Disease

Since the age of 5, I have been a caregiver to my grandmother, who battled Alzheimer's disease. In the United States, 1.8 million young people are also taking on caregiving roles. Through this experience, I gained valuable insights into managing the challenges of this disease from a young age. Exciting news! My upcoming book, Kid Caregivers: A Manual for Kids About Alzheimer's Disease, will be released in July. This photo essay captures our journey and how we coped together. I aim for it to serve as a source of support for other young individuals facing similar circumstances.

Monday, February 24, 2025

Special Awards and Achievements!

I have worked very hard on my research project using a nonpharmacological approach to improving mood and behavior for people living with Alzhiemer's disease. I would like to share these accomplisments: The American Psychological Association Award for achievement in research in psychological science at the New York State Science and Engineering Fair (NYSSEF) Finalist - Regeneron International Science & Engineering Fair (ISEF) Issued by Regeneron Pharmaceuticals and Society for Science - March 2025 ISEF Finalist after winning first place at the New York State Science and Engineering Fair (NYSSEF) First Place in Behavioral Science - New York State Science and Engineering Fair (NYSSEF) ISEF Issued by New York State Science and Engineering Fair (NYSSEF) ISEF - March 2025 Top scorer in Behavioral and Social Sciences Catergory; competed against other projects in New York State I will be competing in Columbus, Ohio with international students! Very excited!

Thursday, January 23, 2025

The Power of Children Award - Children's Museum of Indianapolis

In 2021, I received an amazing honor. I received the Power of Children Award from the Children's Museum of Indianapolis. I shared the national honor with 6 other youth members who have acted as social impact leaders. There is a permanent exhibit at the museum featuring the young people who have received the award. We hope it inspires children and encourages them to make a difference in the world!

Saturday, January 18, 2025

Stay For A Little While

David White and Bakhus Saba featured me and grandma in this video in 2016. It shows the beneficial effects of young people staying connected with their loved ones. Love always remains.