Volunteer open houses planned in February

The Alzheimer’s Association Cleveland Area Chapter announced it will host three free Volunteer Open House events this month to introduce the organization, share volunteer opportunities and recruit new highimpact volunteers.

Open house events are Feb. 22 in Beachwood at the chapter’s office located at 23215 Commerce Park, Suite 300; Feb. 26 in Avon at the chapter’s office at 37309 Harvest Ave.; and on Feb. 28 in Mentor at the chapter’s office, 8522 East Ave.

The event times at all three locations are 9-11 a.m. or 4-6 p.m. Guests simply pick a date and location and choose a session time.

The events will resemble a job fair, said Marilyn Hahn, chapter volunteer engagement manager, in a news release.

Attendees will check-in and then move throughout the room to visit the departments that interest them. Each chapter department will have a table and display board highlighting the impact, requirements and benefits of their volunteer positions. Copies of volunteer position descriptions will be available.

Current volunteers and staff will be on hand to answer questions, she said

Attendees ready to commit will complete a volunteer application and schedule a 15-minute phone interview with Hahn with placement to follow.

The organization is specifically seeking volunteers to teach educational programs, create awareness while raising funds, promote change in public policy and facilitate support groups, the release stated. However, many other opportunities are available, including “done in a day” events, office projects and data entry. Anyone interested in volunteering in any capacity is encouraged to attend.

To register for any open house event, contact Hahn at mahahn@alz.org, or 216342-5596 and indicate your choices.

“I feel like I’ve received way more than I give as a volunteer,” said volunteer Ann Paras of Avon Lake, in the release. “You give your time but … you receive ten times what you give.”

A volunteer for the Alzheimer’s Association for more than eight years, Paras currently facilitates several caregiver and early stage support groups.

Her father was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2000 and her mother had vascular dementia. After her parents’ deaths, she got involved with the Alzheimer’s Association and started an adult children’s support group that grew out of her own caregiver experiences, the release stated.