Volunteer Spotlight: Tamara Stanley
Tamara with Scott Hamilton
April is Volunteer Appreciation Month, and we’re happy to share stories and insights from some of our volunteers across the country. Tamara Stanley is the General Manager of Snoopy’s Home Ice in Santa Rosa, California. She volunteers her time to organize Sk8 to Elimin8 Cancer at Snoopy’s Home Ice, which has raised over $390,000 for cancer research since 2022.
What inspired you to volunteer with CARES? Do you have a personal connection to cancer that makes CARES meaningful to you?
I was inspired to volunteer with CARES because we were hoping to celebrate Charles M. Schulz 100th birthday in a meaningful way. Fortunately, our amazing skating director, Kim Navarro, shared this vision with Scott Hamilton and team and they joined us at Snoopy’s Home Ice with a CARES event in honor of Sparky (Charles Schulz). The entire CARES team joined in to create an extra special celebration that year and we have continued the tradition each year since.
Can you share a memorable experience, event, or moment from your time volunteering?
We had a member of the Junior Hockey Club that had been going through cancer treatment. His team joined the Frozen 5K to raise money for CARES and support their teammate. Seeing them all skating the 5k together was a heartwarming moment that I won’t forget.
How has being involved with our foundation changed your perspective on cancer research? How do you feel knowing you’re supporting life-saving research?
Working with CARES has given me the opportunity to get more familiar with clinical trials that are taking place in our community. Our partnership with Providence has been very positive. It has also allowed the participants to be educated on various cancer programs available in our local community.
What would you say to someone considering volunteering with CARES?
The CARES team is supportive, positive, and FUN! Volunteering with them has been special and meaningful to me as well as the volunteers I have worked with at our events. DO IT!
