Volunteers of the Month: Our Inaugural PathDrivers

This month, we honor our volunteers who took the time to drive support for our mission through New American Pathways’ inaugural ‘PathDriver’ campaign. This peer-to-peer fundraising campaign launched around World Refugee Day in June and culminated after our Red, White and NEW gala last month.

This year has been extraordinary. The rhetoric around so many human and social issues can be exhausting. Sometimes, it’s a struggle to feel like you’re doing anything to make an impact with calls, letters and even cash. But, together, we are making an impact. The board members, advisory council members and other volunteers who asked their networks to support our work have raised $33,000 to support our mission to help refugees and Georgia thrive!

Mike Iverson gets top bragging rights for raising the most – $5,175! Way to go!

In addition to his years as a New American Pathways board member, Mike Iverson has been a mentor in our Vocational Pathways program. He shared his story of inspiration on his fundraising page:

“Martin” traveled to the U.S. over 10 years ago with a suitcase and only a few dollars in his pocket. His family’s lives were taken by the genocide in Rwanda while he was attending school on the Ivory Coast. With no family to return to, and the possibility of being killed himself back home, he chose to apply for resettlement in the United States. Arriving in America with no family and a limited knowledge of the English language, Martin embarked on the American dream…freedom from persecution and the opportunity to start a new life.

He has been an inspiration to me in so many ways. He has a wife and three beautiful children. He put himself through school to earn a Bachelor’s degree and a Master’s degree in Accounting, which would have been unheard of in Rwanda. He did all of this while raising a family. His determination to make a better life for his family and his appreciation of all that America has to offer is a reminder to me of how grateful I truly am to live here.

Our country has been a home to immigrants ever since its founding, and I am so thankful to have the chance to give back to those coming from incredibly difficult situations who seek better lives and contribute to the rich fabric of our country.

We want to personally recognize each of the following individuals for setting up their own PathDriver campaign and pushing it out to their contacts. Mike is the clear winner, followed by Wendy Gutierrez Cheeks who raised $3,700 and Jodi Rausch who raised $3,665. Thanks, everyone!

Kevin Abel
Anna Apostolou
Alex Barnett
John Bottini
Brian Cayce
Wendy Gutierrez Cheeks
Robin Deutsch Edwards
Mike Iverson
Myrtle Lewin
Kelley Herd Lugo
Ellen Ott Marshall
Fasil Muche
Tunrola Odelowo
Aisha Rahman
Josi Rausch
Tom Rawls
David Valentine
Adriana Varela

 

Interested in being our next PathDriver? You can set up your page any time. You can ‘give up’ a birthday, drive funds in honor of a milestone, race or other event in your life – like a dare to eat a ghost pepper – or even help your kids set up a virtual lemonade stand. It’s simple to do and the possibilities are endless!

Start your campaign today to help us continue to advocate for a robust refugee resettlement program and to serve those who are already here and transitioning to their new life in the United States.