On Sunday, October 27th 2024, the AYLUS Roslyn Branch volunteered for the AHRC Foundation for their annual AHRC Foundation Walk at Eisenhower park from 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Our jobs as volunteers was to help manage tattooing and face painting, which required us to help apply temporary tattoos and paint guest’s faces, hands, or arms. The AHRC Foundation is a family governed foundation dedicated to help people with intellectual and developmental disabilities by helping them overcome their disabilities and letting them live normal lives. The AHRC Walk is an annual fundraising event, with this year’s goal of raising 100,000 dollars. It includes many fun, family friendly activities and food and drinks in addition to the walk.
When we got to the location, we first helped set up tables and tents where the activities and other amenities would go. After setting up, we went to our assigned activity and prepared all the supplies we needed including face paint, temporary tattoos, stencils, sponges, water, glitter, and paintbrushes. Since we didn’t have much experience with face painting, we practiced by painting on each other and applying tattoos before any guests arrived. When guests started arriving we would ask them what they want painted or tattooed, what colors, and if they wanted glitter. If they wanted a tattoo, we would place it on their skin and press a sponge to make it stick, then peel the paper off. If they wanted a painting, we would put a sticker that doubled as a stencil, then paint it in. We had a lot of fun seeing others’ reactions to how the paintings or tattoos came out. At the end we helped clean up our tables and helped fold some boxes.
This was a fun and great experience for us. The amount of money people donated to support the AHRC foundation was heartwarming and volunteering for such a noble cause and seeing the joy in the faces of guests that we worked with made us feel good. This experience improved our team working and communication skills. We look forward to helping again next year.
Members who participated include: Isabelle Tsui (4.5 hours), Natalie Tsui (4.5 hours), Miles Hu (4.5 hours), Brian Xiong (4.5 hours), Eric Xiong (4.5 hours), Kacie Li (4.5 hours)
Reporter: Brian Xiong
