Au Pair in America au pairs are so keen to give back! We are always in awe of the amount of volunteering they do in their host communities, and how passionate they are about community service. This past weekend, a group of our au pairs in the Stamford, CT area volunteered to cheer on participants in the Stamford Hospital Bennett Cancer Center Hope in Motion Walk & Run, an event who aims to raise funds for cancer patients. Community Counselor, Christine, reflected on the experience with her cluster, who represented five different countries:
I am so incredibly proud of this amazing group of au pair who woke up early on a Sunday morning to volunteer at 7:00 AM at the Stamford Hospital Bennett Cancer Center Hope in Motion Walk & Run on June 2nd.
Those who participated in this incredible event were Liz from Russia; Christina, Vanessa, and Jasmin from Austria; Silvia from Italy; Anna, Johanna, Celine and Melina from Germany; and Anna and Lidja from Poland.
The Hope in Motion Walk & Run is a powerful and emotional event for participants and volunteers alike. The event celebrates cancer survivors and honors the memories of those we have lost to this horrific disease. The walkers participated in a 3.1 mile course while runners ran in a timed 5K or 10K loop course.
The au pairs volunteered by cheering the walkers and runners on as they made their way through the course. Volunteers held signs of encouragement and rang bells as they cheered people across the finish line. Many of the walkers and runners were cancers survivors or were supporting loved ones who are in treatment or have lost their battle with this deadly disease.
“It was an amazing and moving experience to cheer people on and to see their gratitude,” said Anna from Germany.
“We saw people running with strollers and holding hands,” said Liza from Russia. “It was inspiring to see everyone coming together for such a great cause and I am grateful for the opportunity to support them.”
Community service is a big part of American culture. As an Ambassador for cultural exchange, I try to introduce the au pairs in my area to opportunities to give back to the community they are living in while they are in the United States.
The Bennett Cancer Center is committed to providing the highest level of compassionate care to cancer patients in our community. Proceeds from the Walk & Run go directly to sustain the integrative medicine program, which is free of charge to Bennett Cancer Center patients. Funds raised also go towards their clinical trials program; art therapy program (through the Lauren Fund) and their grateful patient program. These programs are instrumental in supporting patients, family members, co-workers, friends and neighbors when they are at their most vulnerable.
It was truly a tremendous day full of fun and support and everyone who volunteered agreed it was a worthwhile and touching experience.
Are you in need of a new child care routine? Au Pair in America host families receive up to 45 hours of flexible, reliable child care per week. Click here to learn more about hosting an au pair with Au Pair in America!