Volunteer Roles: Hosting Orientation Coordinator, Liaison, Interviewer, Travel Representative, Orientation Group Leader.
Volunteers Since: 2003
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Besides their volunteer roles, the Baldo family have hosted numerous semester and year students, stepping in to host and support students whenever needed.
Each year, the Baldo Family opens their home to students who are in the USA with scholarships, organizing enriching weekend events that include cultural presentations, visits to local attractions, and community activities. They also coordinate holiday parties, social events, and outings, creating a welcoming atmosphere for volunteers, hosted students, and families.
Promoting diversity and inclusion is central to the Baldos’ efforts. They host students for weekend events, arrange food drives for underserved children, and facilitate cultural presentations in schools. Carol, as a substitute teacher, leverages her connections to foster awareness and appreciation for diverse cultures among middle school students. The family thoughtfully prepares meals for orientations, accommodating various dietary restrictions and ensuring all voices are heard, particularly by inviting recent alumni and volunteers from diverse backgrounds to share their experiences.
Collaboration is a hallmark of the Baldo family’s approach. They excel in logistics, working together to plan and execute orientations and cultural events across a vast and challenging terrain. They organize transportation and meals, ensuring every student feels supported. Their compassion and willingness to provide emotional support create a nurturing environment for exchange students.
The Baldos also initiated the keepsake flag and tablecloth projects, leaving a lasting legacy for future generations of students and host families. Their commitment to AFS is evident, consistently saying “yes” to new ideas and welcoming new volunteers with open arms.
The Baldo Family embodies the spirit of AFS as “super volunteers.” Their work ensures that new generations of students can experience the transformative power of intercultural exchange, and their legacy will continue to inspire others in the mission to promote global citizenship.
Peggy and Art Howe Award
Established in 2016, Peggy and Art Howe Award honors the outstanding service of AFS volunteer families. This award is inspired by the Howe family, who volunteered for AFS for more than six decades. Art Howe was a volunteer AFS Ambulance Driver in World War II, President of AFS (1965-1971), and Life Trustee until his passing in 2014.