Young Voices in the Fight to #ENDALZ

During National Volunteer Week (April 20-26), the Alzheimer’s Association is proud to highlight inspiring stories and contributions from young volunteers in Florida making a difference in the fight against Alzheimer’s and all other dementia.

What does each of these young voices have in common? They’re all passionate about ending Alzheimer’s while ensuring those impacted have the information and support they need. Join us in celebrating our big-hearted volunteers during National Volunteer Week.

Learn more about volunteer opportunities at alz.org/volunteer.

Emma and Emily Betances

With three generations of their family affected by the disease, teenage sisters Emma and Emily have found community and support at the Walk to End Alzheimer’s. They have made it their mission to educate their peers about Alzheimer’s and raise awareness for the fight to end Alzheimer’s.

JJ Bishop

Losing his grandfather to Alzheimer’s, JJ is committed to the fight to #ENDALZ. He drives community awareness, sponsor recruitment and planning for the Walk to End Alzheimer’s Tallahassee. Always ready to jump in wherever he is needed, he thinks ahead and finds creative solutions to problems.

Ali Brooks

At just 13 years old, Ali took over her grandmother’s Walk to End Alzheimer’s Broward team in 2024. They walk for her grandfather. She organized multiple fundraisers and raised awareness for the disease in her community.

Sarah Currie

Two years ago, Sarah started a club at her high school to raise Alzheimer’s awareness and education and support the Alzheimer’s Association. Together, they formed a team for the Walk to End Alzheimer’s Greater Orlando.

Autumn Davis

Autumn has such a giving heart – working hard to support her mother and give care to her grandmother who recently passed from Alzheimer’s. She volunteers her time to the Walk to End Alzheimer’s in Pasco County and is raising funds and awareness for Alzheimer’s care, support & research in memory of her grandmother.

Samantha DuBois

As the Walk to End Alzheimer’s team captain in 2024 for Sigma Kappa FAU, Samantha was able to lead her team to have 200+ registered team members and raised more than $53,000.

Ann and Harper Hayworth

As a member of the National Charity League, where mothers and daughters spend time volunteering together, Ann and her daughter Harper join 50+ other members at the Walk to End Alzheimer’s Sarasota County. They manage a tent of face painting, tattoos, and more ensuring every family member impacted by Alzheimer’s can feel the support from our amazing community on Walk day.

Joadel Hernandez

Joadel is passionate and dedicated to his fundraising and recruiting of volunteers for his group of his brothers from his fraternity, Sigma Alpha Mu. He organizes their transportation, makes sure they are there to help with whatever is needed on event day and is always on time for the Walk to End Alzheimer’s Gainesville.

Kailyn Jean-Louis

Kailyn is an incredible champion in the fight to end Alzheimer’s and is counted on for her volunteerism as an Alzheimer’s advocate and participant for the Walk to End Alzheimer’s Tallahassee. She is both knowledgeable and passionate about ending Alzheimer’s and even created her own non-profit. Kailyn, alonside her mom Priscilla, provides care for her grandmother who is living with the disease.

Olivia Magee

Olivia volunteers for Walk to End Alzheimer’s Polk County and helps with many aspects at the annual event. Her dedication to volunteering her time and energy truly reflects the spirit of community that is essential in the fight to #ENDALZ. Through her efforts, she has not only raised awareness but also offered hope and support to individuals and families affected by Alzheimer’s.

Bobby Mahoney

Bobby goes out of his way to support the Walk to the End Alzheimer’s in Collier County from Walk day setup to community engagement and now serving as the 2025 Logistics Co-Chair. Bobby is an admirable community leader, dedicated to service within the Naples area and willing to take on whatever is asked of him.

Alina Mariscal

Alina is part of the Walk to End Alzheimer’s Miami Community Engagement Committee. As a Girl Scout working to earn her Gold Award, Alina chose to combine her passion for brain health with the Walk to End Alzheimer’s. Her goals this year include raising $5,000 for Walk, signing up as many of her fellow students to join her team (Project NeuroFit) and raise awarenss for brain health in the senior community.

Sophia Martinez

A neurodegenerative disease student at UNF, Sophia fundraises and volunteers for the Walk to End Alzheimer’s Tampa through her team, “Youth Against Alzheimer’s”. Enlisting several of her friends from school to volunteer, they have also made big impacts for different Walks in the Gulf Coast Chapter as well.

Anton Martins

Anton started volunteering 11 years ago, at 4 years old, for the Walk to End Alzheimer’s for his Grandma Vicky who had Alzheimer’s. He has advocated for Alzheimer’s and dementia priorities in both Tallahassee and Washington, D.C., given a speech at The Sunshine Gala in Miami and is currently the youngest committee member of the Walk to End Alzheimer’s Boca Raton.

Madison Pozek

Madison is the captain for Sigma Kappa team for the Walk to End Alzheimer’s Volusia County. She has recruited numerous team members and over 20 volunteers to join the fight. Organizing multiple events around Walk, Madison raises more than $10,000 each year.

Sarah Reiss

Sarah is a passionate volunteer who always says yes to help and works in her community to connect people and businesses to the mission of the Alzheimer’s Association. This year, she is serving as the Chair for Walk to End Alzheimer’s in Palm Beach.

KayLynn Stokes

Jacksonville resident KayLynn, 17, is making a significant difference in the community with her dedication and enthusiasm as a Walk to End Alzheimer’s volunteer for three years. She brings tremendous joy to the numerous kids during the Walk at the Kid Zone creating fun and memorable face paintings and ensuring all family impacted by this disease feel support from their community.

Marissa Wilcox

The Alzheimer’s Association means so much to Marissa because she owns and operates a home health agency where she works closely with clients who have Alzheimer’s or other dementia. She feels this is a deeply personal fight, and she can stand in support of the families served. Caring for families and ensuring their loved ones are well taken care is at the heart of everything Marissa aims to do. As a Walk to End Alzheimer’s and Alzheimer’s advocacy volunteer, she is dedicated to her local community and the fight to end Alzheimer’s.

Shayna Zipper

Shayna’s passion for her volunteerism is fueled by her Mom who is living with mild cognitive impairment and other family members and patients impacted by the disease. Whether it’s speaking to legislators, sharing her story or assisting with the Walk to End Alzheimer’s, Shayna is always ready to help in any way she can.