A year ago, just before Christmas, my mother succumbed to Alzheimer’s disease. Her death ended a 15-year ordeal for herself and her family. As I grieved for her in the months that followed, I struggled to make sense of what we’d been through.
Resolving to find a way to use what I’d learned from that pain, I reached out to the Alzheimer’s Association to explore how I might apply my experience in some small way to ending this dreadful disease and easing the path for others living with Alzheimer’s. Continue reading “How do you get (and keep) a Senator’s attention?” »
Our final highlights for National Volunteer week feature two leaders at the Alzheimer’s Association.
Geoff has seen many family members suffer through Alzheimer’s disease and was connected to the Alzheimer’s Association through his co-workers at Intuit. Since becoming involved, Geoff has served in several volunteer leadership positions. He will tackle the roll of President of the Board of Directors next year.
Ruth, volunteer
Ruth, a 25+ year veteran of the Alzheimer’s Association, was instrumental in creating an Alzheimer’s Association office and Chapter in the Chico area. She has served as office manager, board president, Walk coordinator, Helpline volunteer, outreach volunteer and more – she’s basically done it all!
“Ruth is synonymous with the Alzheimer’s Association,” says Beck, director of the Alzheimer’s Association office in Chico. “I appreciate her dedication, vibrancy, passion for the cause and compassion. She’s a true inspiration!”
At 89 years old, Ruth continues to volunteer on local committees, she is Team Captain of a Walk team each year, and she volunteers on Walk day in the refreshment area.
Thanks to Geoff, 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!
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.orgto volunteer with us today!
Our National Volunteer Week coverage continues with two more volunteers who make Alzheimer’s a mission possible: Dawn and Jim.
Dawn has lost loved ones to Alzheimer’s, she is the primary caregiver for her mother in law who has Alzheimer’s disease, she leads a Walk to End Alzheimer’s team and she volunteers on a Walk planning committee. Meet Dawn in the video below:
Jim, volunteer (right)
Jim was the primary caregiver for his mother who had Alzheimer’s disease. He began volunteering with the Alzheimer’s Association in Sacramento in 1992 – that’s right, this year marks 20 years of volunteering!
“Jim participates in every facet of the work of the Alzheimer’s Association,” said Michelle, director of the Alzheimer’s Association office in Sacramento. “If he had a volunteer title, it would have to be All Over All Star Volunteer.”
Jim can often be seen representing the Alzheimer’s Association at events throughout the Sacramento area, including community health fairs and places of business. He is a volunteer facilitator of a support group in Roseville and helps fill in at support groups when other facilitators are unavailable. He’s an active advocacy volunteer, he helps the office respond to media requests and he helps at Walk every year!
“Jim is caring, compassionate, and willing to chip in whenever we need him,” said Michelle. “He is such a fabulous representative and support of the Alzheimer’s Association – we’re very lucky he volunteers with us!”
Thanks to Dawn, Jim and all of our volunteers for helping us create a world without Alzheimer’s disease!
Be sure to visit www.alz.orgto volunteer with us today!
It’s National Volunteer Week and we are proud to mark the occasion with sincere appreciation for all of our Alzheimer’s Association volunteers far and wide! All this week we’ll be highlighting some of our amazing volunteers. Today meet Eleanore and Andrea.
Eleanore has been a volunteer for 15 years! In the video below, she talks about the work she does in the resource center in the Alzheimer’s Association Mountain View office.
Andrea, volunteer
Andrea volunteers out of the Alzheimer’s Association office in Santa Cruz. Andrea’s mother had Alzheimer’s. “I’m doing this for her,” she says.
Andrea has been a physical therapist in the community for 30 years, which has provided her with good relationships with many local physicians. This made her perfect for the role of Physician Outreach Ambassador. As such, she meets with physicians to help inform them about Alzheimer’s disease and the Alzheimer’s Association programs, services and information that their patients and clients can access.
“Andrea knows so many people in our community and is great at helping us connect with them so we can then connect with families who need our resources,” says Dale, director of the Alzheimer’s Association Santa Cruz office. “She enables us to develop relationships and reach families and professionals we would otherwise not know.”
Thanks to Eleanore, Andrea and all of our volunteers for helping us create a world without Alzheimer’s disease!
And be sure to visit www.alz.org to volunteer with us today!
Are you outraged? Me, too! Well, okay, we may be outraged for different reasons but if you’ve found your way to this blog, I bet we agree on at least one thing: We are outraged that people we love have to live with Alzheimer’s; we’re especially distressed that there is no cure yet, and we find it maddening that there isn’t nearly enough money going to fund the research that will help us find an answer. Ever since my mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s more than 20 years ago, I’ve been hungry for a way to make a difference in this fight and settled on one realization: Continue reading “Are you outraged? One advocacy volunteer shares why her outrage has led to action.” »
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Chapter Headquarters Alzheimer's Association of Northern California and Northern Nevada 1060 La Avenida, Mountain View, CA 94043 Phone 650.962.8111
