In our Volunteer Spotlight series, we highlight and acknowledge the amazing volunteers for the Terri Brodeur Breast Cancer Foundation. Meet Karen Stackpole – our Spirit Team leader. Karen has been volunteering for close to 10 years for the Terri Brodeur Annual Walk for a Cure.
How long have you been a volunteer?
I've been involved with the Foundation since 2015 and started volunteering after walking the half marathon.
Why do you volunteer with TBBCF?
I've been doing breast cancer walks since 2003 around the country with my sister Kate. So, when she and my brother-in-law, Paul, moved to CT, it was only natural that we continue our mission.... helping to fund and find a cure for breast cancer.
When we learned more about Terri and Tim Brodeur's story as well as Norma Logan's, Kate and I got involved. Knowing the families were local to southeastern CT, it had a greater impact on us. We kept walking! This time for TBBCF! Knowing our fundraising efforts all went to the cause, research to find a cure...even better! But was walking enough?
What are your volunteer roles?
My sister Kate began working as part of the team that promotes, organizes, and executes the walk annually on the first Saturday of October. Therefore, I joined too...volunteering to lead the Spirit Teams that cheer on the walkers from various locations along the walk route.
What do you enjoy most about volunteering for TBBCF?
Everything! The sunrise at Saybrook Point, the walker energy, the Girl Scouts at the first pit stop, the medical team, the cyclists, the scenery, the laughter, the tears, and especially the dedication, devotion, and remembrance of Terri and Norma, all of it! I enjoy cheering on the walkers on Walk Day; some say my smile keeps them going. Lately I've realized that I was born to be jolly!
When you're not volunteering for TBBCF, what do you like to do for fun?
In the TBBCF off season, I enjoy time with my grandsons, cruising with my husband (who walks the full marathon), hanging out with friends, and working at Sofia's Mystical Christmas in The Village...where I am surely jolly every day!
Thank you to Karen for all you do for TBBCF!! If you would like to join this crusade, check out www.tbbcf.org for more information. Karen and her spirit teams would love to cheer you on on walk day or have you cheer on the walkers. Interested in becoming a spirit team to cheer on our walkers? Grab a couple friends or a group of "helpers" and sign up as a volunteer to support TBBCF! Karen looks forward to seeing you all (and cheering you on!) on Walk Day!