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    Harry Johns Award for Volunteer Excellence

    Harry Johns Award for Volunteer Excellence

    The Harry Johns Award for Volunteer Excellence is an award named in honor of former Alzheimer's Association president and CEO Harry Johns. The annual award recognizes one volunteer who has demonstrated exceptional contributions, distinguished service and unwavering dedication to ending Alzheimer's and all other dementia.

    About Harry Johns

    Harry Johns served as Alzheimer's Association president and CEO for 17 years between 2005 and 2022. Johns' tenure saw the Association accomplish a number of milestones, including unparalleled investment in dementia research and public policy gains. Read about Harry Johns' legacy.

    Award selection criteria

    The winner of the Harry Johns Award for Volunteer Excellence will meet the following criteria:

    1. The nominee must be a past or present Alzheimer’s Association volunteer.

    2. The nominee must exemplify the values of the Alzheimer’s Association: accountability, agility, community, inclusivity and integrity.

    3. The nominee must demonstrate a distinguished contribution of lasting and continuing service to the mission of the Alzheimer’s Association. Service can include activities conducted on a community, chapter, region or national level of the Alzheimer’s Association.

    Award nominations are currently closed.


    For questions, contact wvizek@alz.org or 407.758.5261.

    2025 Winner: Wes Milligan

    Volunteer Wes Milligan received the 2025 Harry Johns Award for Volunteer Excellence during the Community Leaders Summit in Atlanta.

    As a young journalist, he had the opportunity to report on Alzheimer's. From there, he found a cause to which he could dedicate his time and talent. He is an outstanding champion of our cause. He shares his story with strangers, he raises money to support our work, and he's always there to talk to those impacted by Alzheimer's.

    Milligan is one of the Associaton's top fundraisers and has served on the Tennessee Chapter board since 2021. He chaired the Community Leaders Summit Advisory Council in 2019 and served on our FY26-FY28 strategic plan subcommittee. He was also a leadership volunteer for the Walk to End Alzheimer's® in Memphis for four years.

    Find the right volunteer opportunity for you

    No matter your time or experience, you can make an impact in the lives of the nearly 7 million Americans living with Alzheimer’s and their over 11 million caregivers when you volunteer with the Alzheimer's Association.