At Alzheimer’s San Diego, we’re lucky to be supported by an amazing group of volunteers. In 2017 alone, our 330 volunteers contributed more than 11,500 hours – valued at $327,290!
In honor of National Volunteer Week, which runs April 15-21, we wanted to share some of their stories. While each volunteer has a different reason for wanting to get involved, you’ll see they’ve each gotten more out of the experience than they ever expected. We wish we could feature every single one of our volunteers. But for now, enjoy reading the stories below.
Katherine Foos was one of the very first volunteers for our ALZ Companions respite program. She spends time with Barbara Ann, who has dementia, each week so her family caregivers can take a break.
Katherine has completed 102 respite visits, providing more than 460 hours of relief to Barbara Ann’s family.
As Katherine says: “I feel so blessed to have met Barbara Ann through the Alzheimer’s San Diego respite program. We have become such good friends over the years, and I feel we have learned a lot from each other. Being a military family, she and her husband Ray have traveled all over the world. Because of this, she has taught me the importance of being flexible and adapting to whatever life throws at you. I believe this is part of the reason why she is thriving, despite her Alzheimer’s diagnosis. Her positive attitude and strength is an inspiration and I am proud to call her my friend.
You can find Maggie with a beaming smile on her face every Friday as she works at our front desk. She is beloved by both our clients and staff, and is always warm and welcoming to those visiting Alzheimer’s San Diego.
This is especially important on Fridays, as that’s when we have social activities for people living with Alzheimer’s and their families.
Volunteer Manager Adrianna McCollum says: “Maggie’s smile and laughter light up the office every Friday morning. Families who come to social activities know she’s always there to greet them with warmth and joy.”
The amazing sisters of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, North San Diego County Alumnae Chapter have provided invaluable assistance at our Alzheimer’s walk year after year!
Our mission is especially personal to volunteer Barbara Odom (second from right). First her mother – and now her best friend – have been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s.
Barbara says: “My mom had Alzheimer’s and now my best girlfriend has the disease. I enjoy helping other people, especially those who are going through the same thing I have. Volunteering with Alzheimer’s San Diego has helped me heal, and it’s given me hope throughout this heartache.”
Meet Gerry and Claudene Garmon.
When Gerry’s father was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, the Garmons decided to join a support group. Thankfully, they were able to find one that met in the evenings, after work. When they retired and moved to San Diego, they decided to give back and start a support group of their very own in Coronado. Their group has been running for 11 years.
Gerry says: “When we moved to San Diego we wanted to give back to the community by facilitating a support group. And, we wanted to have it meet at night so that working people could attend. It is a honor to help others who are going through the same thing that we went through. We are proud to be a part of the Alzheimer’s San Diego organization.”
Finally, we celebrate the service of Rebekah Barakos-Cartwright, who volunteers as an Education Assistant.
Amy Abrams, our Education & Outreach Manager, says: “I don’t know what I’d do without our amazing group of volunteers! I’m so grateful to Rebekah and all of our education volunteers for all of their help, and for always making each person who attends one of our classes or workshops feel comfortable and welcome.”
Rebekah says it’s been cathartic to give back: “The honor to volunteer for an organization which mitigates the impact of Alzheimer’s feeds my spirit and lessens the daily sadness I experience when I see this disease in my father’s life.”
THANK YOU once again to all of our volunteers! Interested in making an impact? Visit alzsd.org/volunteer to learn more.
