Guest Blog: The Alzheimer’s Association

The Terre Haute Chamber of Commerce would like to welcome guest blogger Katherine Virostko, Assistant Trust Officer at First Financial Bank and Walk to End Alzheimer’s Event Chair.

Walk to End Alzheimer’s Volunteer Committee: The Alzheimer’s Association

The Alzheimer’s Association of Greater Indiana is based out of Indianapolis and serves 73 counties in the Hoosier state!

Indiana is home to at least 110,000 Hoosiers living with Alzheimer’s disease (and related dementias) and accounts for roughly 338,000 unpaid caregivers. We aim to eliminate Alzheimer’s disease through the advancement of research; to provide and enhance care & support for all affected; and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health. We have a vision of a world without Alzheimer’s disease.

Our Purpose
The Walk to End Alzheimer’s (“WTEA”) is an annual fundraising event here in Terre Haute. This year’s Walk is scheduled for Saturday, September 14, 2019, at Fairbanks Park. In the next six months, our Walk Committee is focusing
on team-building, increasing community partnerships, and fundraising.
Recently, our committee had its Volunteer Kickoff Event at 7 th & Elm Bar & Grill, which was a really good time. This event allowed us to meet several new folks and engage more volunteers. Prior to the Walk in September, our committee will be hosting several events in the Wabash Valley. We are seeking out individuals and businesses who would want to join us in our efforts to help further our goal of a world without Alzheimer’s.

Personal Mission
I became involved with the WTEA in 2017, which was my first year as a Team Captain. Our team, Hauser’s Humble Helpers, is in its third year of involvement. I started my team in honor of my Pappaw, Glenroie Hauser, who I lost to Alzheimer’s in January of 2010. Aside from furthering the above-mentioned goals, I particularly love being a part of this organization because of my peer volunteers. Nearly every day I meet someone who has been affected by Alzheimer’s and/or related dementias. Since I lost my grandfather years ago, it astounds me to see just how many others similarly were so unequipped, uninformed, and unprepared to deal with their loved one’s disease. The Alzheimer’s Association has so many free resources to help Hoosiers, and we need to spread the word! None of these goals are possible without commitment from volunteers, sponsors, and others in our  community. We encourage anyone who may be interested to contact us!

Our 2019 Committee
Event Chair & Missions Co-Chair: Katherine Virostko, Trust & Asset Management at First Financial Bank

Co-Chair & Team Retention Co-Chair: Aislyn Reick, Home Health Aid for Hands That Serve, LLC
Team Retention Co-Chair: Meghan DeBaun, DeBaun Funeral Homes & Crematory
New Teams Co-Chair: Lauren Lewis, Professor of Human Development &
Family Studies at Indiana State University

New Teams Co-Chair: Felicia Stewart, Professor of Nursing & FNP Program Director, Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College

Sponsorship Chair: Kyle Simpson, Financial Advisor at Edward Jones
Marketing Chair: Jairon Jones, Care Manager 2 at the Hamilton Center
Logistics Chair: Morgan Leek, Testing Coordinator for College of Human & Health Services at Indiana State University

Walk Manager: Katie Griffin, Walk Manager of Alzheimer’s Association of Greater Indiana