Jessica Oehler, junior, makes a difference in the community.

Q: When and where is your event?

A: “The hat decorating event is Sunday, October 4, at 2 pm, at the Adams House, which is an assisted living facility where we will decorate the hats with the seniors that live there. The Alzheimer’s Walk, where we wear the hats, is on Saturday, October 31 in downtown, beginning at the Amalie Arena. Registration begins at 9 am. Joining the Hats That Give Back team [Jessica’s group] and the walk itself is free.”

Q: Who can participate in the group?

A: “Everyone! People can also donate to the Hats That Give Back team if they are interested. You can donate through the team page (http://act.alz.org/site/TR/Walk2015/FL-FloridaGulfCoast?team_id=309328&pg=team&fr_id=7403) or with cash.”

Q: How can people sign up for the event?

A: “People can sign up online, or they can register for the walk at 9 am at the event. By joining the team, participants also receive a free Hats That Give Back t-shirt on the day of the walk. So far, only 3 or 4 people have signed up, so that is why I would love to get the word out to everyone to join me and my team in the Alzheimer’s Walk. My goal for my team is 15+ people, so please let everyone know who might be interested!”

Q: How did you organize this group?

A: “I have been volunteering at two assisted living facilities in Tampa, and was inspired by all the seniors I met to try to bring awareness to these people and what they’re suffering with, and hopefully help the search for finding the cure to Alzheimer’s.”

Q: How did you get the idea for Hats That Give Back?

A: “I decided I wanted to help the seniors in a bigger way than simply volunteering, so I met with the Executive Director of Adams House, Gabi Geier, to try to get ideas of how to help. She told me about the Alzheimer’s Walk and I came up with the idea of decorating baseball caps with the seniors, because it would be a fun activity to do with a group of friends, and a great activity to do with the seniors, too. Every hat that is decorated will have the individual senior’s name on it so when participants wear them in the walk these residents can be there in spirit.”

Q: What do people need to know about the event and its cause?

A: “Each individual’s participation and donations can go a long way in helping to find the cure for Alzheimer’s, a disease that impacts 5.3 million seniors in America. The walk is going to be a lot of fun while also helping a very important cause.”