UNRWA Alumni Maher Nasser Gives Back through Participation in the “Run 10 Feed 10” Race
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
NEW YORK, New York | unrwausa.org | September 8, 2014 - This fall, Women’s Health will host a "Run 10 Feed 10" 10K race in New York City, Chicago, and San Francisco.
Maher Nasser, is a Palestine refugee, an alumnus of UNRWA schools in Ramallah, Palestine, and a veteran of the United Nations (UN) system for more than 25 years. He now serves as Director of the Outreach Division in the UN Department of Public Information. Prior to his current position, he held various positions in Gaza, Jerusalem, Amman, Cairo, Vienna, and New York, including Chief of the New York Liaison Office for UNRWA.
Nasser rose up the ranks through hard work, but he never forgot his roots. On September 21, Nasser will participate in the Run 10 Feed 10 race in New York City, where he resides. He is running for a very personal reason, to raise funds for the people of Gaza. The recent crisis in Gaza has caused immense human suffering and devastation. As part of his fundraising story, Nasser wrote, "Gaza and UNRWA have played an important role in my life and in bringing me to where I am today. The images of suffering and pain in Gaza, and the heroic efforts of UNRWA staff to alleviate that suffering have prompted me to do something concrete to help out. There are immediate humanitarian needs and a great thirst for hope and compassion. With my modest effort, I hope to contribute a bit of hope and some resources to an Agency that I know can deliver effectively".
UNRWA boasts a long list of successful alumni throughout the United States and all around the world. Nasser is just one example of an accomplished alumnus that is leading by example, and working to give back to the community they were raised in, and that supported both him and his family.
Nasser has set a fundraising goal of $10,000 which he hopes to achieve with the help of friends and colleagues. He will donate all funds raised to UNRWA’s Gaza emergency appeal through UNRWA USA. These funds will some of the most vulnerable people in Gaza receive life-saving assistance. Donations to Nasser’s campaign can be made here: http://www.crowdrise.com/UNRWAsGazaEmergencyAppeal.
Those that are inspired by Nasser and his proactive approach, are encouraged to register for one of our California Gaza 5K walk/runs taking place on October 18 and October 25. These events raise critical funds for the children of Gaza suffering from the trauma they’ve faced. Those that do not live near California can create free fundraising pages using UNRWA USA’s Firstgiving platform. Go to http://www.firstgiving.com/unrwausa and click the green “Start Fundraising” button. If you’re not in California, but would like to run for Palestine refugees, you can always set up your own Crowd Rise page, just like Maher did: https://www.crowdrise.com/unrwausa
UNRWA USA expresses its sincerest appreciation, especially to UNRWA alumni like Maher, for their tremendous efforts to support our work on behalf of Palestine refugees!
We welcome your involvement and your ideas to help us continue to increase our positive impact on the lives of Palestine refugees. Know of other UNRWA alumni who are generously giving back like Nasser? Please share their stories with us.
Contact:
Abby Smardon
Executive Director
American Friends of UNRWA
abby@friendsunrwa.org
1666 K Street, NW Suite 440
Washington, DC 20006
202-223-3767
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