Volunteer Spotlight: Juliette Zielinski
April is Volunteer Appreciation Month, and we’re happy to share stories and insights from some of our volunteers across the country. Juliette Zielinski is a professional figure skating coach and the Director of Program Development and Community Engagement for the International Skating Center of Connecticut (ISCC) located in Simsbury, CT. Since 2023, she has volunteered her time to choreograph our top fundraisers' numbers and to stage-manage our Celebration Ice Show for Sk8 to Elimin8 Cancer® in Simsbury.
Juliette Zielinski, Scott Hamilton, & Daniel Petrenko at Sk8 to Elimin8 Cancer® Simsbury in 2025
What inspired you to volunteer with CARES? Do you have a personal connection to cancer that makes CARES meaningful to you?
CARES has been such a meaningful way for me to bring together two of my passions, helping people through healthcare and figure skating. Cancer affects everyone in some way, and being able to support funding through something as powerful as skating and community is really special. With the number of people who attend, skate in the show at all levels and ages, and volunteer, it truly shows what we can accomplish when we come together.
I’ve had many people in my life affected by cancer, but in particular, just before our first Sk8 to Elimin8 Cancer® show in Simsbury, my godfather passed away from a very short battle with cancer. It made the experience even more meaningful to have him front of mind throughout the Frozen 5K, 3V3 Hockey Tournament, and Celebration Ice Show.
Can you share a memorable experience, event, or moment from your time volunteering?
One of my favorite moments is always at the end of our Sk8 to Elimin8 Cancer® show when all of the skaters, from Olympic and World champions to our Learn to Skate kids, come out for the final bow.
Juliette with her husband, Eric, during set up for the 2025 Celebration Ice Show in Simsbury, CT
Last year, one of our very new Learn to Skate skaters was completely captivated watching the more experienced skaters perform their final spins and jumps. There’s actually a video of it - she watched so closely, and after each skater, she started trying to spin herself, even though she hadn’t learned how yet.
Both she and her brother are still in lessons now and aspire to be figure skaters. That moment really stuck with me because it shows that we’re not only coming together to support an incredible cause, but we’re also inspiring the next generation along the way.
How has being involved with our foundation changed your perspective on cancer research? How do you feel knowing you’re supporting life-saving research?
Being involved with CARES has really deepened my appreciation for how critical funding and community support are in advancing cancer research. It’s easy to feel like one person can’t make a difference, but seeing the impact of events like Sk8 to Elimin8 Cancer® shows just how powerful collective effort can be.
Knowing that we’re helping support life-saving research is incredibly meaningful. It gives purpose to the work we’re doing and makes every practice, performance, and fundraising effort feel that much bigger than just the event itself.
What would you say to someone considering volunteering with CARES?
I would absolutely encourage them to get involved. It’s such a rewarding experience to be part of something that brings people together for a greater purpose. Whether you’re skating, volunteering, or supporting behind the scenes, you truly feel the impact of what you’re contributing to. It’s a community that is inspiring, supportive, and driven by making a difference, and that’s something really special to be part of.