Better Together! A GATHERING OF VOLUNTEERS AND LEADERSHIP

On April 15th, PRO staff, board members and volunteers from across the region gathered in Tigard to reconnect and celebrate the work we do together here in the Pacific NW. Volunteers for Parkinson’s Resources of Oregon are the backbone of the organization!

After a hard couple of years, it was fabulous to have our support group leaders, event volunteers, administrative volunteers and others together in one space to reflect, network and recharge. For many of our peer mentors, it was also the first time they were able to meet their match in person!

Participants found additional inspiration from our luncheon speaker Larry Gifford, co-founder of PD Avengers. Larry is an international champion for Parkinson’s disease advocacy and awareness and spoke about the important role of volunteers in advancing research, creating programs, and improving lives for all impacted by PD.

Better Together

A Poem by Larry Gifford

In Oregon there’s a place called PRO, Where folks with Parkinson’s can go, And there are volunteers, how grateful we are, For all that you do, you’ve earned a gold star.

Board members, support group leaders, committee members, too, Facilitators and peer mentors, all of you, Your time, skills, and expertise, you freely give, Bringing hope to those with Parkinson’s, helping them live.

Your efforts bring comfort, support, and cheer, To those who struggle day after day, year after year. You help them see that life is still worth living, And that with a little help, they can keep on giving.

So, thank you, dear volunteers, for all that you do, We’re grateful for every single one of you. You’ve made a difference, you’ve touched many lives, And for that, we’re thankful, our gratitude thrives.

You are like superheroes, in my mind, Helping those with Parkinson’s find The strength to face each new day, And chase those tremors far away.

You organize events, like PeDal Support, Where folks can ride and have some sport, And Sole Support for Parkinson’s too, Where walkers walk to see it through.

And then there’s the fashion show, Patterned for Parkinson’s, don’t you know, Where models strut their stuff with pride, In clothes designed to help them glide.

So, thank you, dear volunteers, for all that you do, We’re grateful for every single one of you. You’ve made a difference, you’ve touched many lives, And for that, we’re thankful, our gratitude thrives.