I never expected a college sorority's philanthropy to change the direction of my life, but it did.

When I joined Sigma Kappa at the University of Missouri, I thought I was stepping into a sisterhood — meeting friends, planning events and doing service events along the way. What I didn't realize was that I was also stepping into a global movement: the fight to end Alzheimer's.

Sigma Kappa's national philanthropy is the Alzheimer's Association. I was aware of this when I joined, but it wasn't until my chapter volunteered at the Walk to End Alzheimer's® in Columbia, Missouri, that I truly understood the power behind the cause. The experience of being part of Walk was so much more than just attending an event. Being surrounded by families holding Promise Garden flowers high and sharing their stories of love and loss shifted something in me. Alzheimer's was no longer an abstract disease; it was a reality impacting millions, and I wanted to do my part.

A year and a half into my sorority experience, I was elected vice president of Philanthropic Services for my sorority. In that role, I led more than 300 of my Sigma Kappa sisters in raising over $70,000 for our Walk team. It was one of the most challenging and rewarding experiences I've had. I learned that when a community mobilizes around a shared mission and meaningful work, they can accomplish incredible things.

I went on to serve as vice president of Philanthropy and Service for Mizzou's Panhellenic Association, helping all 14 sororities strengthen their charitable work while continuing to champion the Alzheimer's Association. The conversations, connections and collective energy reminded me how many young people have a connection to this disease and how many want to do something about it.

Around the same time, I joined the Columbia Walk to End Alzheimer's Executive Leadership Team, working with local businesses and community leaders to recruit sponsors, build teams and expand awareness of the Walk's impact.

Today, as I continue working with Sigma Kappa and the Columbia Walk, I see my journey come full circle. What started as a college service event has grown into a lifelong commitment to a cause that matters deeply — not just to me, but to every family impacted by Alzheimer's.

To anyone unsure of how to get involved, my advice is simple: start with Walk. Whether you volunteer, form a team or make a donation, you'll be part of something bigger than yourself. It may seem like just one step, but I promise you, it can change everything.

About the author: Laura Benteman is a senior at the University of Missouri, studying strategic communication and sociology. She has a passion for service and fundraising and is involved in Mizzou's Panhellenic Community as well as multiple other clubs and activities during the school year. In her free time, she trains service dogs.

Sigma Kappa has been partnering with the Alzheimer's Association since 1998 to advance Alzheimer's research. Today, the partnership continues to grow, with recent leadership gifts supporting the Women's Alzheimer's Research Initiative and the U.S. POINTER Study. As a national team in the Walk to End Alzheimer's, Sigma Kappa has raised and donated more than $18 million to advance dementia research, care and support, and early detection and risk reduction.