In 2015, I joined a team of eight cyclists riding from Seattle to New York City to support nonprofit Venture’s work with Burmese refugees. While the ride itself was shared, my fundraising and communications operated as a separate personal campaign under the brand and website ride4refugees.org. Through a combination of storytelling, design, events, and sponsorship development, I raised more than $25,000—exceeding my original $10,000 goal and independent from the fundraising of the other riders.
Creative Direction & Campaign Development
I led the full creative and communication strategy for my campaign, shaping its identity and narrative.
- Designed all print collateral: action cards, posters, and mailed pieces
- Built the campaign website (ride4refugees.org) for storytelling, updates, and donation flow
- Developed a consistent narrative focused on humanizing the refugee crisis and motivating donor action
To maximize donor impact, I secured lead sponsors and in‑kind partners who covered equipment, travel, and ride logistics—ensuring 100% of public donations went directly toward refugee relief.
Community Engagement & Fundraising Activation
My outreach extended well beyond digital promotion and leveraged both community presence and personal storytelling.
- Hosted a self‑organized fundraising event featuring a documentary screening on the Burma/Myanmar conflict
- Spoke at local gatherings, churches, and civic groups to broaden awareness
- Earned coverage in the local newspaper, increasing visibility beyond my personal network
These efforts built a diverse donor base from both inside and outside my immediate peer circle and sustained fundraising momentum throughout the two‑month ride.
Impact
- Raised $25,000+ for refugee relief (personal total; separate from team fundraising)
- All rider costs fully covered through sponsors and in‑kind partners
- Increased community awareness of the humanitarian crisis affecting Burmese refugees
- Later presented with Venture’s Tim & Melody Skoog Extra-Mile Award for creativity, leadership, and impact
Reflection
Ride for Refugees remains one of the most meaningful projects in my portfolio—a campaign where design, storytelling, endurance, and community activation came together to create measurable humanitarian impact. Beyond the professional impact, the ride shaped my life in an unexpected way—I met my future wife among the eight cyclists. It remains one of those rare experiences where pursuing a cause I believed in brought together purpose, community, and personal transformation all at once.
