Community Spotlight: Alzheimer's Association

We feel fortunate at Wilkes-Barre POWER! that our platform lets us connect with so many nonprofits in the Wilkes-Barre area, and from such a diverse selection of industries.

This month’s featured nonprofit certainly represents a most worthy cause. We’re talking about the Alzheimer’s Association, specifically its Greater Pennsylvania Chapter!

According to the association’s website, Alzheimer’s disease is a degenerative brain disease in which cells become damaged and, over time, cause a person symptoms such as memory problems, confusion, and struggles with speaking and walking. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia.

This is the medical condition the Alzheimer’s Association works every day to eradicate. The nonprofit constantly funds Alzheimer’s research, public policy advocacy, and free community education, all with the goal of ending the disease for good.

Here in Northeastern Pennsylvania, our community has access to the Alzheimer's Association Greater Pennsylvania Chapter, members of whom you can meet at POWER!’s June networking event next week: June 26 from 6pm to 8pm at Bank+Vine in Wilkes-Barre!

In attendance will be Dick Smith, the chapter’s development manager for our area. Dick’s primary charge is organizing and promoting four Walk to End Alzheimer’s events every year here in NEPA.

We caught up with Dick ahead of next week’s event to learn more about his role with the Alzheimer’s Association, what this chapter has coming up, and how you can pitch in!

1. How do the four Walk to End Alzheimer’s events help drive the mission of the Alzheimer’s Association in Northeastern PA?

Dick Smith: We host four Walk to End Alzheimer’s events across Northeastern Pennsylvania, with Scranton/Wilkes-Barre being the largest. These Walks do more than raise money. They bring the mission into our local communities and connect families to the help they need.

The funds raised support free programs and services across the region, including local support groups, education, and our 24/7 Helpline. Anyone can call 1-800-272-3900 to speak with a master’s-level clinician, day or night, in over 200 languages. It’s completely free and open to anyone affected by dementia.

The Walks also fuel our advocacy work. They give us the platform and the momentum to meet with local, state, and federal officials to push for better dementia care, stronger support for caregivers, and increased funding for research.

Each Walk helps advance our mission: to lead the way to end Alzheimer’s and all other dementia by accelerating global research, driving risk reduction and early detection, and maximizing quality care and support.

2. What is required throughout the year to make these Walks successful?

Dick Smith: It takes year-round, on-the-ground work to make these Walks successful. We connect with local businesses, healthcare providers, and community groups to grow support, recruit volunteers, and register teams.

A lot of it is relationship-building. We show up at events, visit partners, and support families however we can. Our volunteer committees help lead the charge, spreading the word and shaping the Walk in each community.

Everything we do, from planning and outreach to logistics, helps keep the mission visible and makes sure people feel connected long before Walk day.

3. What challenges does the organization face in Northeastern PA?

Dick Smith: In Northeastern Pennsylvania, one of our biggest opportunities is raising awareness. Many people still don’t know about the free resources and support the Alzheimer’s Association offers, like our 24/7 Helpline, local education programs, and support groups.

We’re always working to expand our reach, especially in more rural areas where access to information can be limited. That’s why community events like the Walk are so important. They help us build local partnerships, start conversations, and make sure families know they’re not alone.

The more visible we are, the more people we can help.

4. What fundraisers or other events do you have coming up? How can members and the community help or donate?

Dick Smith: Our Walk committees, sponsors, and volunteers always have something going on to support the cause

One upcoming highlight is the June 27 RailRiders game, where the Alzheimer’s Association will be recognized as the Community Organization of the Game, thanks to our proud partners at Elan Skilled Nursing. We’ll have a spotlight moment during the game, and one of our Walk Committee members will throw out the first pitch.

We also have a car show at Misericordia University on August 2 and a darts tournament on August 16 at Kelly’s Bar in Plains.

If you’d like more info or want to get involved, feel free to reach out, and I can connect you with the volunteers organizing these fundraisers.

To register, join a team, or donate, visit act.alz.org/swb. Every bit of support helps move the mission forward in NEPA.

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Written by Michael Ruth

Michael is a professional writer and digital marketer whose areas of expertise include branding content, content marketing, and SEO. He is the founder of 1900 Digital Marketing LLC and the director of content marketing at Wilkes-Barre POWER!