Edward Jones Region 67 shows their community that they care

The Alzheimer’s Association® is fortunate to have support from many companies across the country. The largest is our strategic alliance with Edward Jones, a fortune 500 financial-services firm.

For the third time in a row, Edward Jones was named one of the PEOPLE’s “50 Companies That Care” by People Magazine and the Great Place to Work. We are fortunate to have many Edward Jones associates in our chapter doing their part to support Walk to End Alzheimer’s.

We spoke with Nina Kadera, Senior Branch Administrator of the Redwood City Edward Jones office. She shares her enthusiasm, inspiration and spirit for this year’s Walk.

Inspiring a region
Nina is this year’s regional coordinator for Edward Jones, Region 67, which consists of cities along a portion of the California coast that runs from San Francisco to Watsonville. “I’m the lead person to get everyone going,” shares Nina enthusiastically. “I’m encouraging staff to raise money, raise awareness, get their teams together and sign up for a Walk.”

There are four Walks within Nina’s region: Monterey, Santa Cruz, Silicon Valley and San Francisco. Nina works with a designated leader in each branch to help motivate the local staff. Nina says, “I want to make sure we have a large presence at Walk this year.”

Having increased her region’s goal of $25,000 to $35,000, Nina is hopeful they can make it. “If each branch can raise $1,000, we should hit our goal.”

Nina sends out emails every other week to inspire her coworkers. Not only does she include reminders about when the Walk is or how to raise money, but also includes words of encouragement.

“I type stuff from my heart that I want them to think about,” Nina explains. “I don’t like sending the same kind of email every time, people won’t read it. I want people to have fun for a great cause.”

Working with the Alzheimer’s Association
Nina and her location leaders work closely with the Alzheimer’s Association to make Walk day a success. “Whatever we need, the Alzheimer’s Association will help us with,” says Nina. “I tell them, “˜Hey, I need these things!’ and they have them to us immediately.”

Edward Jones also encourages clients to join their local team and walk with staff on Walk day. “The Alzheimer’s Association gave us packets of information to share with our clients,” says Nina. “We hope it encourages people to sign up.”

The Alzheimer’s Association also gave Nina promise flowers and old t-shirts from last year’s Walk. “I’ve decorated my office window to look like a garden,” Nina shared enthusiastically. “I’m making pillows out of last year’s shirts. If anyone on my team makes their goal, I will send them a pillow.”

Nina’s personal connection to the disease
Nina walks in honor of her mother-in-law, Jane Farnsworth, who passed away this past February. While Nina was not the primary caregiver for her mother in law, she talked to Jane every week.

This past winter, Nina and her husband flew out to Chicago to help Jane move into a memory care facility. “I have all the patience in the world,” Nina shared lovingly. “Jane would get into angry mode and I could calm her down.”

Big plans for Walk day
While Nina is coordinating four Walks across her region, she will participate in the San Francisco Walk on November 9. Her goal is to make Edward Jones’ presence known to everyone who attends.

“We’re setting up a welcome tent for our clients to meet at and providing them with an Edward Jones t-shirt,” Nina shared enthusiastically. “Then we’re going to gather everyone together at our station so we can walk as a big group.”

Nina’s team already has several clients who have agreed to join Edward Jones on Walk day. She anticipates that staff will bring their families as well. Nina says, “Walk is a way to show our community and clients that we care about ending Alzheimer’s.”

Edward Jones has a nationwide Walk fundraising goal of $2.5 million. The money they raise will make a significant impact on research, care and support for those facing this disease.

“The more money we can raise across the country, the more likely it is we can find a cure,” explains Nina. “It touches my heart that Edward Jones cares enough to say, “˜Hey, we’re going to take this up as a cause.'”

A national commitment
2019 marks the third year that Edward Jones has partnered with the Alzheimer’s Association. Last year, they had 3,578 teams that raised $3.3 million for Walk to End Alzheimer’s. The firm’s total contributions in support of the alliance last year topped $6 million, surpassing its 2017 contributions of $4.8 million. 

“We strive to make a positive difference for our clients and our communities, and this is one way we can make a substantial impact,” said Jeff Panchot, the principal leading the Edward Jones Older Adult Council. “Now in our third year of the strategic alliance with the Alzheimer’s Association, our associates continue to raise the bar on giving back.”

Edward Jones has worked with the Alzheimer’s Association to create the Edward Jones Alzheimer’s Research Fund, a targeted effort to accelerate research on treatment methods, prevention and, ultimately, a cure. The Alzheimer’s Association also provides educational programs for Edward Jones associates so they can share resources with clients.

You can see their fundraising progress or join an Edward Jones team participating in the Walk to End Alzheimer’s.

You can Walk with Region 67 at one of our four local Walks

• Santa Cruz on September 21, 2019
• Monterey on October 12, 2019
• Silicon Valley on October 12, 2019
• San Francisco on November 9, 2019

Important Information: Edward Jones cannot accept gift cards, cash or checks as donations.  All donations must be made directly to Alzheimer’s Association.