Miles for Refugees 2024 is an in-person and virtual fundraiser hosted by World Relief Sacramento that raises funds for local programs that serve refugees and other vulnerable immigrants in the Greater Sacramento Region. Miles for Refugees, formerly known as Pedal to Resettle, is taking place on June 15th, 2024, beginning and ending at Fremont Presbyterian Church in Sacramento.
World Relief Sacramento is thankful for individuals like Sara, who not only consistently joins the movement to empower refugees, but lives with a passion to serve the vulnerable and be a voice for the voiceless. Sara has been a top fundraiser in past Pedal to Resettle events and is leading a team in this year’s Miles for Refugees.
Explore her thoughts and vision in a Q&A with Sara!
Q: How did you get connected with World Relief Sacramento and as a participant in Pedal to Resettle?
Sara: I first heard about Pedal to Resettle in 2020 while volunteering in the warehouse. I had volunteered with World Relief in different capacities and was really excited to find a new way to raise funding and awareness around local refugee resettlement efforts. I spent the next several months getting acquainted with my bike and building momentum on social media.
Q: What is one of your fondest memories as a participant in PTR?
Sara: Ever year PTR feels like a family reunion—in the best way! It’s always great to set a lofty fundraising and riding goal, work up to it, and then get to see the community that forms along the way. Every year my team gets a little bit bigger, and hopefully our impact does too.
Q: Why is PTR (now Miles for Refugees) an important event to you?
Sara: Global displacement has become such a big and constant challenge and I think it’s easy for people to gloss over the headlines without knowing what they can do, especially on a practical local level. So MFR feels like a call to action, to remind us that there are people right in our neighborhoods that have experienced displacement that are navigating a really massive transition, and that there are ways for us to help both with our time and our resources.
Q: How does your personal mission align with World Relief’s mission to empower refugees?
Sara: I’m increasingly aware of how many privileges and resources I have, and how difficult it can be to navigate and live well in our society. Also, as the descendant of immigrants, I’m at least partially aware of how daunting it can be to start over completely in an unfamiliar and not always welcoming land. I think the idea of helping people navigate the system and level the playing field to some degree is really important.
Q: What would you share with this year’s participants and supporters as encouragement leading up until Miles for Refugees 2024?
A: I think we all want to be a part of something that matters, to spend our time, dollars, and efforts towards something that truly is positive; and Miles for Refugees is just that! It’s a win-win! I can’t wait to see you all out there!
By Analise York
Analise is the Marketing & Events Coordinator at World Relief Sacramento.