According to Tessie, volunteer manager with the Alzheimer’s Association, a great volunteer is reliable, passionate and motivated to be part of a team.

“The people who volunteer with us are not ‘just volunteers,’ they are a part of our team, part of our family,” she says Tessie. “The bottom line is that we can’t do what we do without them.”

We continue our coverage of National Volunteer Week today by highlighting two of our volunteers who exemplify the characteristics Tessie values in our volunteers.

Leslie is a volunteer leader, serving on our board of directors and in subcommittees – but her real passion as a volunteer all started with telling her story and becoming an advocacy volunteer.

Ruth, volunteer

Ruth has volunteered with the Alzheimer’s Association office in Monterey since 1995! She assists with filing, mass mailings, maintaining the library and she inventories program and office supplies.

“We all look forward to Wednesday’s when Ruthie come into work, she lifts spirits,” says Sherry, director of the Alzheimer’s Association office in Monterey. “She has wonderful organizational skills that help the office stay in order and on track.”

Ruth received the Volunteer Centers Hearts of America service Award in 2002 for her outstanding work with the Alzheimer’s Association and the 2005 Alzheimer’s Association Volunteer Service Award.

Thanks to Leslie, Ruth and all of our volunteers for helping us create a world without Alzheimer’s disease!

Be sure to visit www.alz.org to volunteer with us today!