## 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 # How Empowered Volunteers Make An Extraordinary Impact Apr 15, 2025 ![Group of people holding hands](/sites/default/files/styles/no_sizing/public/images/volunteer%20WYSIWYG.png?itok=gg_e2YdX) Here at the Parkinson’s Foundation, we strive to empower volunteers to make a difference in the lives of people with Parkinson’s disease (PD) every day. We are honored to support [Parkinson’s Foundation Ambassadors](/how-to-help/volunteer "Volunteer") as they spread awareness of our mission and improve their PD communities across the globe. This year, National Volunteer Week takes place April 20-26, and we are delighted to highlight empowered volunteers who exemplify the many ways you can get involved and work with us towards better lives today. We are blown away by the impact Parkinson’s Foundation volunteers made in 2024. ### Impact Numbers In 2024, here’s what our volunteers accomplished: - $8.9 million raised through volunteer-led initiatives - 32,000+ people reached through volunteer led community outreach - 20,000+ service hours contributed to events and programs - 430+ Ambassadors trained across all 50 states, plus DC and internationally ## Meet four volunteers who have made a difference in their PD communities ### Elva Brown ![Elva Brown and sloth mascot](/sites/default/files/styles/380x361/public/images/Elva%20Brown%20%281%29.png?itok=P8f009W_) **Person with Parkinson's Disease Moving Day San Antonio "Team Sloth" Captain** Elva and Team Sloth raised more than $58,000 for Moving Day San Antonio in 2025, helping to advance Parkinson’s disease research, increase access to quality care, and provide education and outreach initiatives to people with Parkinson’s “With the help, love and support from my husband, my family my friends and my faith; I know I can make an impact in our community; a good and positive impact.” – Elva [Read Elva’s full story](/living-with-parkinsons/stories/elva-brown "Elva Brown") --- ### Epin Christensen ![Epin Christensen and three other women at Parkinson's Champions event](/sites/default/files/styles/380x361/public/images/christensen%204.png?itok=eTf5x3KO) **Family member** **Parkinson’s Champion & Cheer Team Captain** Epin raised more than $5,000 for Parkinson’s research with her run in the NYC marathon. She then turned around to cheer on other fellow [Parkinson’s Champions](/how-to-help/fundraise/run "Run for Parkinson's") who ran in the Marine Corps Marathon and raised more than $36,000 combined. “The marathon holds a special place in my heart but running it to support those battling this terrible disease is even more meaningful.” – Epin [Read Epin’s full story](/living-with-parkinsons/stories/epin-christensen "Epin Christensen") --- ### Mark Milow ![Photo of Mark Milow](/sites/default/files/styles/380x361/public/images/Mark%20Milow.png?itok=I59TpR42) **Person with Parkinson’s** **Parkinson’s Champion** Mark is sharing his love of Pickleball with his community while also spreading Parkinson’s awareness and opening dialog about the importance of finding an exercise you love to fight this disease. “My work in advocacy, though it may help others, is my way of adding meaning and purpose to my diagnosis. And for me, that is essential.” – Mark [Read Mark’s full story](/living-with-parkinsons/stories/mark-milow "Mark Milow") --- ### Amanda Meyers ![Amanda Meyers with her dad at Parkinsons Revolution event](/sites/default/files/styles/380x361/public/images/Blog%20In-line%20%28WYSIWYG-float%29_5.png?itok=mcF_QWz9) **Parkinson’s Revolution Buffalo Team Captain & Host** Amanda saw an opportunity to bring a PD event to her town. Offering her indoor cycling studio to [Parkinson’s Revolution](https://secure3.convio.net/prkorg/site/SPageNavigator/Parkinsons_Revolution.html), she built a community of support for her dad, making it possible to raise almost $80,000 at the 2025 event alone. “It’s an unfortunate circumstance that brings us all together, but it is so empowering to work together to raise funds for something many of us are affected by.” – Amanda [Read Amanda’s full story](/living-with-parkinsons/stories/amanda-meyers "Amanda Meyers") ![5 ways to volunteer infographic](/sites/default/files/styles/no_sizing/public/images/5%20ways%20to%20volunteer%20%284%29.png?itok=e9z_s14M) ## 5 Ways to volunteer with us: 1. [Create a Moving Day Team](https://movingdaywalk.org/) 2. [Join a Parkinson’s Champions run or Cheer Team](/how-to-help/fundraise/run "Run for Parkinson's") 3. [Become a Parkison’s Foundation Ambassador](/how-to-help/volunteer "Volunteer") 4. [Create your own DIY Fundraiser](/how-to-help/fundraise/create-fundraiser "Create Your Own Fundraiser") 5. [Prep for next year’s Parkinson’s Revolution](https://secure3.convio.net/prkorg/site/SPageNavigator/Parkinsons_Revolution.html;jsessionid=00000000.app30121b?NONCE_TOKEN=C776ADA82403FA15647A496C89756D7E&_ga=2.127664718.2107867961.1742325602-1983377727.1740234442&_gl=1*mtqepd*_gcl_au*MTgzNzE4MDY2Mi4xNzQwMjM0NDQyLjExNjY0NTE0NTguMTc0MDIzNDQ0NS4xNzQwMjM0NDQ0*_ga*MTk4MzM3NzcyNy4xNzQwMjM0NDQy*_ga_57LEHWK3JX*MTc0MjU5MDU1MS4xOS4xLjE3NDI1OTA1OTkuMC4wLjA.) **Already volunteering with the Parkinson’s Foundation? [Share your story](/living-with-parkinsons/my-pd-story/submit "Submit Your Story") and the ones above to empower more people to get involved!** ## Related Materials Audiobooks ### [ Mood: A Mind Guide to Parkinson’s Disease ](/library/audiobooks/mood) [Listen Now](/library/audiobooks/mood) Audiobooks ### [ Cognition: A Mind Guide to Parkinson's Disease ](/library/audiobooks/cognition) [Listen Now](/library/audiobooks/cognition) Audiobooks ### [ Frequently Asked Questions: A Guide to Parkinson’s Disease ](/library/audiobooks/faq) [Listen Now](/library/audiobooks/faq) ## Related Blog Posts ![Jim Morgan and wife](/sites/default/files/styles/500x360/public/images/Jim_Morgan-wife.jpg?h=e784580b&itok=QlE6Vrs-) Raise Awareness ### [ Meet Our Volunteers Making Life Better for People with Parkinson’s ](/blog/awareness/2023-volunteer-awardees) 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 ![Dylan James and family](/sites/default/files/styles/500x360/public/images/Dylan_James_0.jpg?h=c9aea1bc&itok=JHlXCAyO) Raise Awareness ### [ How Our Volunteers Are Making an Impact ](/blog/awareness/volunteers-making-impact) READ NOW ### 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