Au Pair Chatter

Monday, January 17, 2011 is the 25th anniversary of the Martin Luther King, Jr Day holiday.

Dr. King was the chief spokesman for nonviolent activism in the civil rights movement, which successfully protested racial discrimination in federal and state law.  Dr. King’s life was devoted to public service.  In honor of his legacy, volunteers across the country donate their time to make a difference on this day.

If you have Monday off, I encourage you to find a volunteer opportunity in your area.  Here are two websites to get you started:

http://www.handsonnetwork.org/

http://mlkday.gov/

My Plans for Monday
I have spoken to my kids about what they would like to do on Monday.  We have decided to go grocery shopping for donations for the Bowie Food Pantry  and to prepare casseroles for Sarah’s House, a homeless shelter on Ft. Meade.  If I get some good pictures, I will post them next week.

If any of you (au pairs or host families) get photos from service projects you do, please send them to me, so I may share them.

Update:  Here is a picture of my kids outside the store after our trip to the grocery store to buy donations for the food pantry. We didn’t end up making our casseroles for the shelter that day, so that will be a project for another time.

Yesterday, we had a cluster meeting where au pairs gave their time to prepare sandwiches for the homeless.  We were joined by a few moms and cub scouts from Pack 403.  Thank you to Holy Trinity Episcopal Church for allowing us to use the parish hall.  Together, we were able to make almost 600 sandwiches!!! These sandwiches are going to the DC Central Kitchen to feed homeless people in Washington, DC.

I want to thank everyone who showed up, brought bread, made sandwiches and helped us surpass my initial goal of 400 sandwiches.

Here are a few photos.

First two au pairs to arrive getting right to work.

Sandwich assembly line

Having fun making sandwiches

Many hands make light work.

Striking a fun pose after all that hard work.

Group Photo with our Finished Sandwiches

At least once per year, we have a cluster meeting that is a service project.  Some of our past volunteer/community service events include:

• DC Help the Homeless Walk
• Bowie International Festival
• Preparing lunches for Habitat for Humanity
• Donating items to children affected by Hurricane Katrina
• Working at Silver Diner to raise money for Tsunami Relief
• Wrapping gifts for needy children

Here is a great article about an Au Pair in America EduCare Companion from Australia named Amy Hart.

It talks about her experiences here in the U.S. as well as the volunteer work she has done in her community.

A Year of Learning and Giving

Last Saturday, 90 Au Pair in America au pairs made 100 fleece blankets for children in need.  The patterns were fabulous with everything from polka dots, soccer themes, dinosaurs, animal prints, dog-theme prints and more.  Each fleece blanket is fringed by hand.  The au pairs and counselors worked together to purchase the fleece and follow the blanket pattern instructions according to the Chicago chapter of Project Linus. Host families supported the project by donating fleece and blankets made ahead of time.

One host mom told her counselor that this project had a special meaning for her because her own son was seriously ill when he was born and was given a Project Linus blanket which they have kept.  When she found out her au pair was taking part, she said it brought tears to her eyes.

All who participated felt it was a worthy cause and a great way to give back to their community.

WAY TO GO!

Au Pair in America Au Pairs from Chicago Area