Events
Giving Back to the Community – Volunteer Day at the Consulate
Sao Paulo | April 14, 2011
Children from Projeto Sol and the Helen Drexel charity for orphans at the U.S. Consulate
CG Tom Kelly conducting a tennis clinic
On a beautiful Sao Paulo Saturday, solar and kid energy lit the faces of more than 65 children from Projeto Sol and the Helen Drexel charity for orphans as they poured through the consulate gates for a day of fun, food, and friendship.
More than 40 volunteers from Sao Paulo’s American Society and the U.S. Consulate welcomed the two charities whose children riotously used the Consulate facilities to the max. Some jumped straight into the swimming pool, others chose up sides to demonstrate their prowess on the soccer pitch and a few took to the basketball court to emulate Nené and Anderson Varejão. CG Tom Kelly helped conduct a tennis clinic for some youngsters who had never even held a racket before. The only time the children slowed down – they never really stopped -- was to recharge their batteries on hamburgers, hot dogs and baked goods such as paço rolha, bombocado and geléia de mocotó (marshmallows), before getting on with the action.
In the end, the American Society and Consulate volunteers absorbed as much energy from the kids as they had given. With so many worthy charities for children around the city, this day of fun, games and friendship was only the first of many we hope to repeat throughout the year.
Watch the video here: