The service focus of Fall Fest 2023 is the Alzheimer’s Association, which was chosen for its impact that it has on many, especially in the NDA community. 

“This organization was chosen mainly because there are multiple people with personal connections to this cause at NDA, including on our branch. We wanted to choose something that many people could resonate with,” said Cassidy Green, Vice President of the Outreach Branch of Student Government. 

The Alzheimer’s Association is the leading health organization in Alzehimer’s care, support and research with a chapter located in Ashwaubenon. Their mission is to accelerate “global research, driving risk reduction and early detection, and maximizing quality care and support,” with initiatives and chapters around the nation. 

Students have the opportunity to buy a pin for $2, and the proceeds will be donated directly to the Alzheimer’s Association. Advisories have made prayer chains, writing down the names of those impacted by the disease. 

Ms. Molly VandenHouten, who advises the service branch of Student Government, has collected the prayer chains and displayed them in the atrium.

The Outreach branch hung up signs about Alzehimer’s disease around the school so that people had the opportunity to familiarize themselves with the disease. 

“This cause is incredibly important to spread awareness about because it affects so many people in our community and around the world. There is a high chance that if we haven’t already experienced someone close to us having this condition, we will at some point,” said Green. 

On Monday, the Outreach branch put together a prayer service for students and staff in honor of those suffering from the disease or those affected by it. Juniors Greta Fangman and Emily Kukiela shared their stories on how Alzherimer’s has personally impacted their families. 

“I hope people better understand the disease and the effect it has, not only just on the person with the disease, but also the person’s family and friends,” said Fangman, who spoke about her grandfather’s struggle with the disease. 

The hope is that students and staff will walk away from the week with a better understanding of the impact that the disease can have on so many people. 

“I hope that students and staff will have more empathy for people who struggle with this and that they will be more educated and aware of this issue,” said Green.