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Hi, I'm Sergio and I need your help.
This summer, I have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to set sail aboard a floating laboratory to the remote Phoenix Islands in the Island Republic of Kiribati - one of the last known coral wilderness sites on Earth, and the pacific's largest marine protected area. During this eight week expedition, I will join a team of world-renown scientists to help create an environmental policy plan to ensure its protection. Let me tell you more about how this came to be my greatest passion, my life's work, and how you can help.
For eight of the best years of my life, I had the fortune of serving our country as a Second Class Petty Officer in the United States Navy. During those eight years, I saw four deployments to 27 countries and spent over 36 months at sea. I made friends forever, learned life-long lessons, and discovered one of my greatest passions: the ocean.
Not many people will get to experience the Earth's oceans like a sailor does. During my time at sea, I've seen nature in its most pristine form. I've also seen nature at its worst - majestic sea turtles trapped in floating gyres of plastic, acid-bleached coral reefs, children swimming in shorelines of raw sewage. A general misuse and abuse of an entire ecosytem.
As a senior at American University in Washington, DC, I have dedicated the education that I earned through my military service to the study of ocean conversation. Specifically, I am working to pursue a career as a change agent to advocate for sustainable practices and environmental policies that protect the health of our oceans.
Until now, I've been able to fund my college education entirely on my own through the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill. But at the end of the current semester, the funds allocated for the 2015-16 academic year will have run out, leaving me with no money to fund this incredible opportunity. I'm working hard to piecemeal together any amount of money I possibly can to help fund the following:
- Cost of the SEA Semester Program: course and course materials, housing, food, medical evacuation insurance
- Cost of 11 academic credits at American University
- Cost of travel from Washington, DC to point of departure in Hawaii and return travel from American Samoa to Washington, DC
It may be a stretch to think I could fund this $21,000 trip through GoFundMe alone. The best thing about this collaborative platform is that it's not an all-or-nothing campaign. Whatever you're able to contribute to my cause is guaranteed to help - and help it will! A little bit goes a long, long way. Please know that the impact of your generosity will truly rock my world and bring me that much closer to my dreams.
An equally impactful act would be to tap your social capital and share my story with your friends any way you can. I mean, if an average campaign contribution of just $27 can get a crazy old man like Bernie so close to the white house, a few $5 donations here and there can definitely get this happy sailor to the Central Pacific!
Lastly, if you're actually read this far THANK YOU! Thank you, thank you, thank you so very much for your time, for your generosity, and for being my friend.
Be well,
Sergio
This summer, I have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to set sail aboard a floating laboratory to the remote Phoenix Islands in the Island Republic of Kiribati - one of the last known coral wilderness sites on Earth, and the pacific's largest marine protected area. During this eight week expedition, I will join a team of world-renown scientists to help create an environmental policy plan to ensure its protection. Let me tell you more about how this came to be my greatest passion, my life's work, and how you can help.
For eight of the best years of my life, I had the fortune of serving our country as a Second Class Petty Officer in the United States Navy. During those eight years, I saw four deployments to 27 countries and spent over 36 months at sea. I made friends forever, learned life-long lessons, and discovered one of my greatest passions: the ocean.
Not many people will get to experience the Earth's oceans like a sailor does. During my time at sea, I've seen nature in its most pristine form. I've also seen nature at its worst - majestic sea turtles trapped in floating gyres of plastic, acid-bleached coral reefs, children swimming in shorelines of raw sewage. A general misuse and abuse of an entire ecosytem.
As a senior at American University in Washington, DC, I have dedicated the education that I earned through my military service to the study of ocean conversation. Specifically, I am working to pursue a career as a change agent to advocate for sustainable practices and environmental policies that protect the health of our oceans.
Until now, I've been able to fund my college education entirely on my own through the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill. But at the end of the current semester, the funds allocated for the 2015-16 academic year will have run out, leaving me with no money to fund this incredible opportunity. I'm working hard to piecemeal together any amount of money I possibly can to help fund the following:
- Cost of the SEA Semester Program: course and course materials, housing, food, medical evacuation insurance
- Cost of 11 academic credits at American University
- Cost of travel from Washington, DC to point of departure in Hawaii and return travel from American Samoa to Washington, DC
It may be a stretch to think I could fund this $21,000 trip through GoFundMe alone. The best thing about this collaborative platform is that it's not an all-or-nothing campaign. Whatever you're able to contribute to my cause is guaranteed to help - and help it will! A little bit goes a long, long way. Please know that the impact of your generosity will truly rock my world and bring me that much closer to my dreams.
An equally impactful act would be to tap your social capital and share my story with your friends any way you can. I mean, if an average campaign contribution of just $27 can get a crazy old man like Bernie so close to the white house, a few $5 donations here and there can definitely get this happy sailor to the Central Pacific!
Lastly, if you're actually read this far THANK YOU! Thank you, thank you, thank you so very much for your time, for your generosity, and for being my friend.
Be well,
Sergio