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ATR’s VTO, or Voluntary Time Off, Program gives each internal ATR employee 5 paid days per year that they can use to work at a charitable organization(s) of their choosing. This week we are focusing on Kamila Sobczyk and her work with the Alzheimer’s Association.

Last year Kamila Sobczyk had the opportunity to volunteer at the Alzheimer Association’s Reason to Help luncheon. It was an amazing experience and she imagined this year would be similarly great as she worked on the Reason to Hope breakfast event the Association held this past April 28th.  

As many of our readers may know, there are so many things to do before, and during, such a big event. This year they had around 200 people in attendance, which meant there was certainly plenty of work to go around. Kamila was involved in preparing invitations and marketing materials, doing table and banner set-up, and supporting the team the day of the event in whatever ways she could.  

“I’m pleased to report it went off without a hitch” said Kamila. “It was wonderful to work with such a talented team. A big congratulations to my fellow volunteers for their great work and commitment.”

Aside from the obvious satisfaction of providing support to a worthy organization and a job well done, Kamila told Staffing 360 that you naturally think more about others when you attend such an event, you are reminded how lucky you are. The stories of courage and bravery that she heard were emotional and heartbreaking at times. “I only had to look around me to see how this disease impacts not just individuals but their families as well. I didn’t think it could be more inspiring than last year but I was wrong.”  

This year Kamila was especially touched by brave teenage speaker Leah Robbie. She shared her “delicious” memories (her father’s favorite word) about her Dad, Tom, who died after a 10 year battle with Alzheimer’s. Her father was diagnosed when she was only 6. “He was an emergency doctor and I really loved what she said at the end of her speech. She would like to continue in his footsteps and one day become a trauma surgeon, and fight against Alzheimer’s ‘so no other little girl has to lose her daddy to this horrible disease‎.’ Leah, I hope and think that you will achieve this goal!”

Kamila explained, “volunteering at this informative and inspiring breakfast, I learned more about the vital needs of the Alzheimer’s community, how the Alzheimer’s Association is advancing the cause, and how we can help. I’m already signed up to help next year!”

“ATR’s VTO Program is in place to support exactly these kinds of efforts,” said President & CEO Jerry Brenholz. “When someone is passionate about a particular cause, they have the ability to commit their time year after year to an organization, supporting their recurring efforts and events.  The support that we give is really the easy part; it’s the efforts of our employees that are truly inspiring.”

The Alzheimer’s Association is the world’s leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer’s care, support and research. They work on a global, national and local level to enhance care and support for all those affected by Alzheimer’s and other dementias. As the largest non-profit funder of Alzheimer’s research, the Association is committed to accelerating progress of new treatments, preventions and ultimately, a cure. Through their partnerships and funded projects, they have been part of every major research advancement over the past 30 years. The Association is also the leading voice for Alzheimer’s disease advocacy, fighting for critical Alzheimer’s research, prevention and care initiatives at the state and federal level.

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