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 2025, we’ll be spotlighting a different volunteer from our Eastern North Carolina Chapter each day. Today we are featuring …
TIFFANY WOODWARD
Pitt County
What brought you to volunteer with the Alzheimer’s Association?
I began volunteering with the Alzheimer’s Association after losing my mom to Alzheimer’s in 2022. We really struggled through her diagnosis and progression. Afterwards, I felt a mix of grief, guilt, and a desire to help others feel less alone and more prepared. Volunteering has become a way to honor my mom, and my grandmother who also had Alzheimer’s, and help other families access the support they need.
What volunteer role(s) do you have with the Association?
I serve as a Community Educator, delivering education programs about Alzheimer’s disease and dementia throughout Eastern North Carolina, and sometimes representing the Alzheimer’s Association at events. I also serve on the Executive Leadership Team for the Walk to End Alzheimer’s – New Bern, helping with outreach and event planning.
What do you enjoy most about your volunteer role?
What I enjoy most is making connections with people, whether it’s answering questions after a program, offering a word of understanding, or just listening to someone share their story. These moments remind me why this work matters so much. Every time I speak or hand out a resource, I feel like I’m doing something meaningful in memory of my mom and grandmother, and hopefully making someone else’s journey a little easier and less lonely.
What piece of your role do you feel makes the biggest impact?
I think education has the biggest ripple effect. As a university instructor, I know how empowering knowledge can be. It builds confidence, creates connection, and sparks action. When people better understand the disease, I think they’re more likely to seek help, support loved ones more effectively, and advocate for change. Helping someone recognize early signs or discover resources can really change the course of their journey, and that’s powerful.
If someone were considering volunteering with the Association, what would you say to them?
I’d tell them that doing something is always better than doing nothing. You don’t need to be an expert; you just need to care. There’s a role for everyone and even small actions can create a ripple effect and make a real difference. Volunteering with the Alzheimer’s Association has been one of the most rewarding things I’ve ever done. I’ve been surrounded by supportive people and have really found a purpose in helping others.
THANK YOU, TIFFANY!
Volunteers truly help move our mission forward. Interested in becoming a volunteer with the Alzheimer’s Association in NC? Visit alz.org/volunteer or call 800-272-3900.
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