July Impact 2014

IMPACT

JULY 2014

REL AT IONSHIP S

A SPONSOR’S STORY

Minnesota sponsor shares how he learned about true happiness Earlier this year, we asked you to share your sponsorship experience — what it’s meant to you and the impact it’s had on your life. Sponsorship not only makes a difference in the life of your sponsored friend, but in your life as well.

David Ziegler of Minnesota has been a sponsor through Unbound since 2006, but his sponsorship began differently than most. This is his story.

I

was 17 years old, and it was the summer of my senior year.

I was traveling with a church group in Guatemala, helping a

local mission with construction projects. In our free time, we played with the kids and enjoyed the beauty Guatemala had to offer.

One day, we visited the Unbound office. We toured the grounds as they explained how Unbound provided food, medicine, clothing and education for only a small amount of money each month.

The next day, we went out to our construction projects as (continued)

UNBOUND AMBASSADORS Inspire others to become sponsors by becoming an Unbound Ambassador.

From left: David with his sponsored friend, Mimi, her younger sister and their father, Edgar.

Dear friend...

A SPECIAL NOTE Make an even bigger impact in your sponsored friend’s life. Send a simple,

We’ll send you a toolkit full of valuable

encouraging note to let your friend

information to help you talk about

know you care. To send an eLetter,

Unbound. To get started, email

visit unbound.org/eletter.

outreach@unbound.org or call (800) 875-6564.

Calling all Trailblazers

W

e recently introduced a new way to tell others about Unbound.

Unbound Trailblazers are people from all walks of life who enjoy physical activity — walking, running, cycling, hiking and more.

At the same time, they help raise funds to support the work of Unbound.

Susie Rogers-Kalimnios has been an Unbound sponsor since 2012, but she’s been running for even longer.

Susie started training in the fall of 2007. In January of 2008, she ran her first half-marathon. Since then, she’s completed 30 half-marathons and four full marathons.

“I often think of my sponsored families when I’m running, and I’ve wished there was a way I could run for them. So, when I heard about Unbound Trailblazers, it was exactly what I was looking for.”

This year, Susie has already completed seven half-marathons and plans on completing another seven. She’s dedicating the remaining seven runs to benefit Unbound’s scholarship program, and is asking friends

Susie (in pink) runs in the Long Island halfmarathon, the sixth of 14 half-marathons she plans to run this year.

and family to donate. “ ... I see it as a way to support the youth that are looking for a way to break the bonds of poverty,” Susie said. “I understand that, without support from Unbound, many would have no choice but to go to work to help support themselves and their families.”

Sign up to become an Unbound Trailblazer and get a free shirt to wear at your events!

Help children and families halfway around the world. Join the Unbound Trailblazers! Get started at unboundtrailblazers.org.

Sponsorship impacts child, family and sponsor they were happy.

(continued from front) usual. My assignment was to help build a school in an area devastated by a mudslide.

Edgar told me he wasn’t sure if Mimi was going to be able to go to school. I decided to sponsor her because I knew my small con-

When we arrived at the worksite, I was tasked with tying rebar.

If you’ve ever tied rebar (a steel rod used in reinforced concrete),

tribution would go far.

The next day I talked to the Unbound staffer and became Mimi’s

then you know it’s tedious. I was hav-

sponsor. We returned to Edgar’s and the

ing trouble and getting frustrated until

family was ecstatic to hear the news.

a man named Edgar came over to help.

Edgar

didn’t

speak

English, but

through gestures and my limited Spanish we were able to communicate. I

"After meeting Mimi and her family my life was different."

could tell he was a hardworking man

After meeting Mimi and her family my life was different. I learned it doesn’t take much to be happy. Edgar’s family had next to nothing but had the biggest smiles.

just trying to provide for his family.

Since I started my sponsorship, I

The next day we returned to the school. I found Edgar and

keep in touch with the family through letters. Edgar has told

decided to work next to him. I introduced him to my friends, and

me how much my sponsorship has helped his family. They are

he invited us to come to his house later to meet his family.

able to get medical care, healthy food and the kids are able to

We arrived at Edgar’s and met his wife, Marta, his daughters Mimi and Aracelli, and his mother. Mimi was a delightful little girl and full of life. Edgar’s home was just a two-room structure, but

1 ELMWOOD AVE., KANSAS CITY, KS 66103

800.875.6564

go to school.

Becoming a sponsor has been one of the most rewarding experiences in my life.

MAIL@UNBOUND.ORG

UNBOUND.ORG

©UNBOUND 2014