Volunteer_of_the_Month

April Volunteer of the Month

Linda Roenigk

When Terry Roth was diagnosed with ALS last year, her friend Linda Roenigk sped into action, using her gung-ho attitude and fundraising experience to coordinate a fun and engaging event benefiting the Chapter. She encourages others to take the “30-Day Challenge” and participate in the event MOVE for ALS, beginning on April 15, 2021. Register today at www.moveforals.org.

“I want to raise as much money as possible for The ALS Association Greater Philadelphia Chapter to support those like my dear friend Terry who are living with ALS, promote ALS awareness, and fund research toward a cure,” says Linda. “Take the Challenge to walk or run 100 miles in 30 days or cycle 400 miles in 30 days. Our goal is to involve as many people as possible to better their health and raise $10,000 between April 15 and May 15. Honestly, any number of miles is great. Just join me and fundraise!”

“I am not doing this alone. Our entire committee of seven dedicated volunteers should be the ‘April Volunteers of the Month.’ I couldn’t do it without their input,” she humbly states. “The event is an opportunity to honor Terry and the courageous way she is living her life. She continues to be an inspiration to everyone who knows her,” Linda adds.

“Terry and I have been friends for nearly 40 years. We have shared so many life experiences together. She has always had my back, so now I can have her back. I am not able to do much to change the course of ALS, but I can help organize a fundraiser and share part of her journey to spread understanding and familiarity of this disease.”

Linda, a former schoolteacher and administrative assistant at her son’s dental practice, and her husband of nearly 50 years, Glenn, raised three children and now have six grandsons. When we caught up with her, she was en route to Atlanta to see one of her daughters and her family. Linda is coming back in plenty of time to fulfill her MOVE for ALS goal. But she reiterates that you can take the Challenge from any location.

Linda continues, “Terry was diagnosed in August 2020. She had known something was wrong for more than a year. She consistently expresses that her experience at The ALS Association Certified Center of Excellence at Penn State Hershey Medical Center has been amazing and how much the Hershey team approach works so well. Whenever Terry has a question, she gets a reply right away. And the Center’s research projects fill us with hope.”

The Roenigks and the committee’s common denominator is membership in the Trinity Methodist Church in New Freedom, PA, a closely-knit small community in York County. The church is collecting event sponsorship money, and there are already 13 sponsors signed up. Terry’s Crew is the principal sponsor and will underwrite the cost of Challenge T-shirts for at least 100 participants.

“Terry still comes to church. She tries to do everything. She is a huge part of MOVE for ALS. The 30-Day Challenge is primarily for Terry but do it for yourself as well. Your involvement and fundraising for the ALS mission can change a person’s whole life. If you can do something positive for someone else, why wouldn’t you?” Linda selflessly remarks. “My ideal volunteer role is anything that helps people and makes them happy and feel good. Realize how remarkable life is, and don’t take a day for granted. Terry reminds us of that every day.” Thank YOU, Linda, for reinforcing how many volunteers like you make a difference in the lives of so many in the ALS community.

If you would like to learn about how you or a group can also create a Community Partner Event as Linda has done, please contact Lexi Brace at lexi@alsphiladelphia.org. The money raised by these events each year is vital to continuing the Chapter’s care services program and funding ALS research.

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