Before the GoAbroad Foundation took on a whole new fundraising challenge in 2018, we knew we needed to bring in some extra support for our team to make our Gala events a success. Enter Renee. A childhood friend of our founder Troy, Renee eagerly welcomed our invitation to join our team as an Event Coordinator. She not only helped us organize supplies, silent auction items, and a venue for our main event, she nearly single-handedly put together two events of her own. Her dedication and drive to help the GoAbroad Foundation grow helped us to tackle a new challenge and set ourselves up for bigger and better things for years to come.
When 2018 came to a close, we knew we couldn’t say goodbye to Renee, so we decided to bring her on as our Partnership Coordinator in early 2019. To kick off her new role, she spent two weeks in the Philippines with our director, visiting our partner’s projects and spending lots of time learning the ins and outs of the GoAbroad Foundation. We’re super excited to see what we can accomplish with Renee on our team.
Please join us in welcoming her by learning a bit more about her below.
What inspired you to get involved with the GoAbroad Foundation last year?
I have a friend who has made it his way of life to help others. I’ve witnessed his countless acts of kindness and generosity improve the lives of people all over the world. Troy Peden inspired me to reevaluate my own life to find ways to be a more selfless person. Troy also happens to be the founder of the GoAbroad Foundation, so when he asked me to help plan three fundraisers for the foundation last year, I said, “Yes!” and did so without hesitation, but with a newfound energy fuelled by the opportunity to help him in his continuing efforts to help others in need.
What do you love most about the GoAbroad Foundation’s mission?
The GoAbroad Foundation’s aim is to support small, local groups who are working hard to help people in the community they live in themselves. I love that the foundation supports these grassroots organizations by striving to provide them with the things they need to meet their specific goals, as only such community-based organizations with a local focus and knowledge can do.
How do you integrate giving back in your own life?
I regularly donate money to causes I personally feel strongly about, and I integrate into my and my family’s lifestyle a wide variety of ways in which to reduce our carbon footprint. I appreciate and lament that I can and should do more, so I am thrilled to to be given the chance to put my skills to good use working for a non-profit organization with a mission that is important to me, making communities in developing countries the kind of place where future generations can succeed in life.
What causes are you most passionate about?
I grew up in the bucolic mid-west countryside. During my childhood, our family weekend outings were often either a scenic drive through the country or a long walk in a tree-filled park. We raised chickens and grew fruits and vegetables in our backyard. I learned to value and take care of the environment and the plants and animals that live there. As a result, I am passionate about keeping our planet, and all the living things on it, healthy and in a position to thrive, not just survive.
Why do you believe it is important to give to charity?
Giving to charitable organizations opens our mind to the bigger world around us and connects us to a purpose more important than ourselves. There is a joy and pleasure in seeing, through our acts of giving, the world become a better place. It’s important to me to try to be an inspiration to my own children and grandchildren to be selfless, generous people themselves.
Stay tuned for more updates on the new partnerships Renee will be building for us throughout 2019!