## Breadcrumb

- [Home](/)
- [Resources & Support](/resources-support)
- [Parkinson's Today Blog](/resources-support/blog)
 
  ## Breadcrumb

- [Home](/)
- [Resources & Support](/resources-support)
- [Parkinson's Today Blog](/resources-support/blog)
 
  

 

   Raise Awareness 

#  From Passion to Action: 4 Volunteers Making a Difference 

 Apr 18, 2024 

 

  Every day at we are grateful for the wonderful [volunteers](https://www.parkinson.org/how-to-help/volunteer), known as Parkinson’s Foundation Ambassadors, who help make a difference in the lives of people with Parkinson’s disease (PD).

National Volunteer Week is April 17 to 23, and we want to celebrate and thank all the hard-working volunteers across the globe who spread awareness and improve their PD communities.

There are many ways to get involved and start volunteering, from [Moving Day](https://movingdaywalk.org/event/moving-day-usa-virtual-walk/) to joining our [People with Parkinson’s Advisory Council](https://www.parkinson.org/about-us/leadership/parkinsons-advisory-council). Finding the opportunity that fits your abilities and passion is key. Below are four volunteers who did just that, and who are excited to share their stories with you in the hopes that you might also find the volunteer role that works for you!

## Rebecca

 ![Rebecca LeClair on stage at Moving Day Walk](/sites/default/files/styles/380x361/public/images/Rebecca_LeClair.jpg?itok=aSKWd1PM)  **Volunteer, Brother is living with Parkinson’s**

> Selfishness is normally considered a negative characteristic, but in this case, I’m proud to be a selfish volunteer for the Parkinson’s Foundation. Luckily, everything I do for the Foundation helps Greg, and vicariously helps others too! I think that’s pretty positive.

[Read Rebecca’s story](/living-with-parkinsons/stories/rebecca-leclair "Rebecca LeClair")

## Mike & Angela

 ![Angela and Michael Bowman](/sites/default/files/styles/380x361/public/images/Mike_Angela_Bowman.jpg?itok=pSVlQbRA)  **Parkinson’s Research Advocates, Mike is Living with Parkinson’s and Angela is his care partner**

> Back in the day, it was uncommon for older people, especially African Americans, to seek medical attention for physical and mental needs. Now, as a Research Advocate, I can ask questions and help raise awareness for PD. I use this role to spread information about the importance of clinical research and genetic testing.

[Read Mike and Angela’s story](/living-with-parkinsons/stories/angela-michael-bowman "Angela and Michael Bowman")

## Darrell

 ![Darrell Allers headshot](/sites/default/files/styles/380x361/public/images/Darrell_Allers.jpg?itok=6nqCi1Eo)  **Volunteer, Living with Parkinson’s**

> There are many volunteer roles in the Parkinson’s Foundation and my interest settled on giving presentations in the community. First, I needed to complete the Ambassador training which was very helpful and increased my PD knowledge. My motivation to pass the training quickly became my reality and I became a Parkinson’s Foundation Ambassador for the Georgia Chapter.

[Read Darrell’s story](/living-with-parkinsons/stories/darrell-allers "Darrell Allers")

Whether you are interested in becoming a Parkinson’s Foundation Ambassador like Darrell, a research advocate like Mike & Angela, or speaking to people in your community like Rebecca, we want to hear from you! Get to know more of our volunteers through this special volunteer edition [podcast episode](/library/podcast/168 "Episode 168: Celebrating Our Parkinson’s Foundation Volunteers").

Complete our [volunteer interest form](/how-to-help/volunteer "Volunteer") to get started. You can also chat with the volunteer engagement team to help us educate others about PD and connect them to life-saving resources.

Already a volunteer? Check out our [course offerings today](https://education.parkinson.org/)!

[Learn more about how you can become a Parkinson’s Foundation Ambassador.](/how-to-help/volunteer "Volunteer")

  ##  Related Materials 

   Podcasts 

###  [ Episode 168: Celebrating Our Parkinson’s Foundation Volunteers ](/library/podcast/168) 



 [Listen Now](/library/podcast/168)

   Fact Sheets 

###  [ Getting Involved in Research ](/library/fact-sheets/research) 



 [Read Now](/library/fact-sheets/research)

   Books 

###  [ Caring & Coping: A Care Partner’s Guide to Parkinson’s Disease ](/library/books/caring-coping) 



 [Read Now](/library/books/caring-coping)

  

  ##  Related Blog Posts 

   ![volunteers blog](/sites/default/files/styles/500x360/public/images/volunteers-blog.png?h=ed9ce7df&itok=Koha-Ywf)  

 Raise Awareness 

###  [ Meet Volunteers Who are Making a Difference ](/blog/awareness/volunteers) 

 

  READ NOW  

  ![Preview of Scott, Kim and Jamie](/sites/default/files/styles/500x360/public/images/volunteer-blog-preview.jpg?h=9105c3fe&itok=nEUvyzLW)  

 Raise Awareness 

###  [ Meet Our Top Volunteers Who Are Making A Difference ](/blog/awareness/volunteers-making-difference) 

 

  READ NOW  

  ![Volunteers at Moving Day](/sites/default/files/styles/500x360/public/images/nationalvolunteerweek2021-blog.png?h=ed9ce7df&itok=ACtFMjfV)  

 Raise Awareness 

###  [ National Volunteer Week: Five Volunteers Making a Difference ](/blog/awareness/volunteer-week-2021) 

 

  READ NOW  

 

 [view all blogs](/resources-support/blog) 

  

 ###  Volunteer 

 Join our team! We rely on the energy, skill, and passion of people like you to make life better for people with Parkinson’s disease (PD).

 [LEARN MORE](/how-to-help/volunteer) 

 

 

 

 - Share on Facebook
- Share on X
- Share on LinkedIn