We are endlessly grateful to our volunteers for giving their time to better the lives of those impacted by Alzheimer’s and other dementias. Our volunteers are truly the heart of the Alzheimer’s Association here in North Carolina.
In honor of National Volunteer Week 2021, we’ll be spotlighting a different volunteer from our Chapter each day. Today we are featuring…
MIKE CALDWELL
CARY, NC
What brought you to volunteer with the Alzheimer’s Association?
The help I received from the Association while caring for and eventually losing my mother to Alzheimer’s disease. She was a strong independent woman and her journey, although short, did not represent who she really was.
What volunteer role(s) do you have with the Association?
Support Group Facilitator for a Male Caregivers Support Group; Community Educator, Walk to End Alzheimer’s Volunteer and former committee member.
What do you enjoy most about your volunteer role?
Getting the chance to see caregivers learn that they are not alone; others have gone before them with the same questions and challenges. When someone says that this group is helping them, it is so rewarding.
What piece of your role do you feel makes the biggest impact?
I think the education I am privileged to pass along through community education and support groups. Over and over I see folks whose stress is relieved and who are truly enlightened receiving information to help them manage, communicate or cope with their journey.
If someone were considering volunteering with the Association, what would you say to them?
There are so many ways to help. We need you and you can be a vital resource. It is only through the research that we can end this disease and identify the first survivor. It is only through awareness that we can educate. It is only through support and counsel that we can help others to deal with their caregiving journey.
THANK YOU, MIKE!
Alzheimer's Association North Carolina Blog 