Business and event professionals offered unique opportunity to support people affected by dementia

Of the nine years Sue Sami has been a volunteer event organizer for the Alzheimer Society of B.C., one moment stands out above the rest. 

It was the morning of the IG Wealth Management Walk for Alzheimer’s, presented by Go Auto, and Sami had booked a community choir to provide the entertainment. She was expecting a handful of singers to take the stage. To her surprise, 30 people showed up and couldn’t even fit on to the stage. Sami and her co-chair on the organizing committee scrambled to make room for the group, which soon launched into a performance so beautiful and arresting, it’s kept playing in her mind ever since.

“They started singing and everybody stopped what they were doing and just listened,” says Sami, who was an organizer for the Tri-Cities Walk this past spring. “In my wildest dreams, I could have never imagined it. My co-chair and I looked at each other and hugged and cried.”

Sami is a self-described type A person with a background in financial management. She also lost her father to Alzheimer’s disease. When she was invited to join the organizing committee for the Alzheimer Society of B.C.’s largest annual fundraiser shortly after her father’s passing, it felt like not only the perfect way to honour his memory and give back to other families affected by dementia, but also the perfect fit for her leadership skills. 

Held in communities across the province the last weekend of May, the Walk builds dementia awareness while raising funds to help the Alzheimer Society of B.C. deliver vital programs and services, as well as enable critical research to change the future of the disease. Sami is sharing her experience as a long-time organizing committee co-chair as the charity launches a search for volunteers to lead the Vancouver, White Rock and Surrey, Delta and Abbotsford event committees.

The role of Event Chair came easily

“You see a lot of people come together and have a big impact,” Sami says, praising the talent volunteers bring to the organizing committee. “Entertainment, refreshments, promotions and sponsorships: the most important thing is that you don’t have to do everything yourself. You build a strong team and oversee logistics. For me, the role of Event Chair came easily.”

Supported by an engaged volunteer committee and Alzheimer Society of B.C. staff, Sami has continued to step up and organize a Walk in her community annually since that first magical experience with the choir, The Maple Leaf Singers. In fact, the choir is now a mainstay at Walk events year after year. Sami takes on the job on event day alongside her large family, including her mother, Rukmani Nair, who, at 89 years old, remains committed to honouring the memory of her late husband, Mr. P.K. Nair, through service. 

“Take the leap and come forward — there’s no work that can give you the satisfaction you feel from volunteering,” Sami says. “This is my ninth year volunteering and I have never felt like I’m alone. The Alzheimer Society of B.C.  is always there to support you. You’re never without the tools you need to do the job.”

Join a passionate team of leaders today

The Alzheimer Society of B.C. is in particular need of skilled individuals to lead the Vancouver, White Rock and Surrey, Delta and Abbotsford organizing committees for the IG Wealth Management Walk for Alzheimer’s. They’re also seeking volunteers to join these organizing committees, as well as the committees for their other Walk locations around the province.