VOLUNTEER!

This year for the first time Au Pair in America awarded Community Service Awards to au pairs who had volunteered in their communities during their year as au pairs in the States. There were three national winners and 15 state winners.

The competition for the awards was tough. A great number of au pairs submitted essays describing their voluntary activities. What they’d accomplished was “holly molly, she did that?” IMPRESSIVE!

Au pairs built houses with Habitat for Humanity, took care of dogs in animal shelters, walked in March of Dimes, helped recent immigrants, cooked and served meals for the homeless, worked in Food Banks, sang in church choirs, helped in nurseries, assisted patrons in libraries, and much more.

They described their experiences as: awesome, fulfilling, educational, fun, enriching, incredible, meaningful, invigorating, “best medicine for homesickness” and INSPIRING!

Many were happily surprised that so many Americans volunteer on a regular basis. They were even happier to see how easy it is to make friends when you work together!

To read more about APIA au pairs’ volunteer experiences please visit:

http://www.aupairinamerica.com/communityservice/2013_winners.asp