Comcast Cares Event Shows Children that Olympic Dreams are Possible

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We are thankful to Comcast for providing this sponsored post.

The Thrill of Meeting Olympian Role Models

With hard work, even seemingly impossible dreams are achievable. That was the inspirational message Olympians delivered to children at a recent once-in-a-lifetime experience. 

As part of their annual Comcast Cares Day, Comcast asked two of the members on the 2018 Gold Medalist Women’s Olympic Hockey Team—the Lamoureux twins—to share their story with members of Boys & Girls Club of the Pikes Peak Region, Tutt Club.

The Lamoureux twins serve as brand ambassadors for Comcast and have had the chance to speak nationally. This was their first visit to Colorado Springs in this role. However, they have ties to the area because their brother lives in Colorado Springs.

David Cohen, Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer of Comcast Corporation, said the partnership with the Lamoureux twins is ideal. The twins share similar values, such as the importance of giving back, and he admires that the Lamoureux twins are fierce advocates for women’s equality.

Seeing Gold and Experiencing an Olympian Workout, Too

During the event, the children visited with the twins who were proudly wearing their shining gold medals. Then they had the opportunity to listen to them speak on a panel along with David Cohen, Comcast Senior Executive Vice President.

Rebecca Starnes, the Pikes Peak Region Youth of the Year winner, moderated the panel and joked that she had the chance to brush up on her talk show interview skills. She asked the panel participants questions such as, “What sparked your interest in what you are doing today?”

Cohen said his parents and grandparents were influential in encouraging him to give back to others. “That was our obligation. With the benefits to life that we had, that we should share those benefits, so that everyone was having the opportunity to succeed,” he said.

The Spark that Fed the Twin’s Olympic Fire

Monique Lamoureux-Davidson admits that she and her sister were just trying to keep up with their four older brothers.

“From a very young age, we had to work really hard to keep up…This sparked our inspiration, motivation to play hockey,” she said. “From the age probably 6-7 years old, our dream was to be in the Olympics. We were motivated at such a young age. But we always put our best foot forward and always worked our hardest to compete as best as we could.”

Jocelyne Lamoureux-Morando added that when they were around second grade, they met their first Olympian: a gold medalist from the ’98 hockey team. “That really sparked our dream to be Olympians. To hold a gold medal was so special to us and we have never forgot that. We still have that picture because it meant so much to us,” she said.

After the panel, the twins led the gym full of children in a mini athletic training workout. The children loved following their Olympic coaches.

Comcast Internet Essentials Program

Another program that Comcast is proud to sponsor is the Internet Essentials Program. It began in 2011 and has helped millions since then. This program offers low-cost internet services, training, and equipment to eligible families.

Cohen said, “One of the most frustrating things is when I see that people are not being treated equally. Not because they are not willing to try hard. They are not being treated equally because of their gender, their skin, or the community they live in. I am fortunate to be part of a company that has the capacity to be able to address some of that inequality and we are very proud of our efforts to be there.”

The Big Surprise!

The children were excited and thankful to meet the Olympians. But what came next made the room break out into happy tears, screams of joy, and unique spontaneous dances. Comcast and the Lamoureux twins surprised every child with a fabulous gift bag including a signed hockey stick, a new laptop computer, and free internet service for a year! Very quickly every child was scouting for an outlet to plug in their new present.

Madison a club member was motivated by this fun experience. “Now I want to be an athlete!”

Dain, a sixth grader, said meeting the Olympians was inspiring and made him want to be a better athlete. “I will work hard and believe in myself,” he said. When asked what he was going to do first on his new computer, he responded with a laugh, “Charge it.”

More than 100 families would be helped by this generous gift, said James Sullivan, President and CEO of the Boys and Girls Club of the Pikes Peak Region. “We loved to be able to help provide the opportunity for kids to get enhanced services, or additional help to help them be successful in life,” he said.

Comcast Cares Day

This special event was just one of many that took place as part of the 18th annual Comcast Cares Day. This national event is one of the largest corporate commitments to volunteerism and service in America.

Since the first Comcast Cares Day in 2001, more than 1 million Comcast Cares Day volunteers have contributed over 6 million service hours. They have improved local communities at more than 10,000 projects around the world. And they have contributed nearly $25 million in grants to participating local nonprofit partners.

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Adrienne, Senior Writer
Adrienne is a Colorado native and would not want to live anywhere else! She spends her days juggling the many demands of three sons, and her school-age daughter. When she is not busy deciphering the perplexing young boy brain, or trying to please her diva daughter, you will most likely find her nose in a book, or writing. She loves encouraging her fellow parents in their journey. Recently she has begun a new career as a Real Estate Broker with Colorado Home Finder Realty and is definitely enjoying the roller coaster ride. She also loves finding great happy hour places with her husband, Shawn, and acting young and sometimes crazy with friends! She does not spend enough time outdoors (unless forced to) and comes up with any excuse to put off cleaning her chaotic house. She is very grateful for her completely imperfect life.