In April, the International Center commemorated Volunteer Appreciation Week with a two-week series of events. Although we appreciate our volunteers year-around, we like to take National Volunteer Appreciation Week as a special time to pay tribute to their commitment and contribution to the International Center’s work. Indeed, without our volunteers, the International Center would not exist!
Thank You Team
The International Center Staff would also like to pay a special thanks to our Thank You Team Leaders. This group of nine dedicated members and volunteers worked tirelessly to make these events a tremendous success. They recruited members to donate food, songs, and language lessons. Through their efforts, they secured over 100 donations from our members to ensure the success of our celebrations.
The Thank You Team Leaders, pictured below, were: Janeth Velasquez Guedez, member from Venezuela; Gerlee Tsegmid-Foehlisch, member from Mongolia; Wesly Gagerie, member from Haiti; Veronica Hernandez, member from Mexico; Eun Young Kim, member from South Korea; Tai Hyang Kim, member from South Korea; Elaine Gelstein, volunteer; Katherine Cole, volunteer; and Marcin Pilak, member from Poland.
2007 Thank You Team Leaders
Brooklyn Heights Tea & Tour
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ICNY Cocktail Reception
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Musical Performance by Shiro El Arriero
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Explorations Abroad Fair
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International Food & Culture Celebration
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COUPONS
Beginning April 16, please stop by the Volunteer Department to collect:
ONE Free Class Card
for Empire Dance
127 W 25th St – btwn 6th & 7th - (212-645-2441) - www.empiredance.com
&
ONE Free Mat Class Card
for The Kane School of Core Integration
151 West 19th St – btwn 6th & 7th - (212-463-8308) - www.kaneschool.com
Dream! A Thank You to International Center Volunteers
By Wesly Gagerie, International Center Member from Haiti, April 2007
One day! We had a dream, but, as we woke up in the morning, we forgot it: Like a drop in the ocean, like this river which now becomes dry, like a thought lost under the flow of our memories, shaded by our laziness, we have forgotten our dream.
But like the drop becomes ice when it s cold in the ocean, like the river doesn’t disappear without leaving a trace, like a fire which never dies…
One day, we started to remember… remember that we have something to do on this planet called earth.
All the rivers draw to the sea! What that’s supposed to mean? What’s the purpose behind those words? Why do I begin my speech like that?
Dear volunteers! In the name of all our friends here, in the name of all the members of the International Center of New York, I lift my voice, to congratulate you and give you thanks for the work you’re doing and by the way you’re doing it.
In a world where everybody is running for themselves. You made a stop, you took a break, you took some time apart and you came here to teach us.
Yes! It’s true! All the rivers go to sea. Which means, no body can stay in loneliness his entire life: For instance, we are rivers from different mountains, diverse valleys, from all over the world. We meet here, and like the rivers find the sea, we find you. And what happens, we find salt, then, our life takes a new color, a new meaning.
Because we are learning, we discover that we are smart, we are funny, and we are wonderful. Everyone, in his own way is so special, and charming. You help us discover all that and even more by the way you treat us. If I can move my tongue inside my mouth and turn my thoughts into words, it’s because of you. I guarantee you that what you have done in those days will never perish. We will keep the picture in our mind and follow this example of love that you shared with us.
Do you remember when God asked Cain “where is your brother Abel? And he answered “Am I my brother’s keeper?” I am glad you care. I am happy tonight, that you give us some TLC: tender, loving, and care. We like what you teach here, even more the way you do it, we are glad you care.
It s the reason why we all put our voice together and say:
Mèsi, Gracias, Abrigado, Shay-shay, aligato, grazie, thank you, merci beaucoup!