Why I need your help...

Friends and Family,

As the title suggests, I could use your help.

I have no money. 

I have no money because I chose to live and work in poverty for the past year. (I have the foodstamp card to prove it)

Why is this a problem? 

Because I chose to do it again next year, only 3,000 miles away. 

Let me explain...

This past year, I've been an AmeriCorps member working as the Youth Coordinator with the Sussex County Habitat for Humanity in Georgetown, DE.

And an AmeriCorps member is...?

AmeriCorps is essentially the domestic Peace Corps. As a member, I am placed with a non-profit organization and agree to serve with them for a year, in exchange for a modest living stipend and student loan assistance upon completion. The idea is to live in poverty along with those you serve, which I am doing as I live and work alongside 10 other AmeriCorps members here with Habitat. To give you an idea, our income this year is 60% below the median for Sussex County, which helps to explain why we're all big fans of foodstamps.

my AmeriCorps family

So why did I choose to do this?

I have had many experiences helping those who are, in certain ways, less fortunate than myself. However, I am not motivated by a sense of feeling sorry for them, or guilty because of what I have in comparison. In so many ways, those experiencing hardship, pain, or loss often exhibit some of the strongest examples of character and will imaginable, far greater than what I often feel I am capable of. Ultimately, I serve because I have a heart for those reaching out a hand in need, and because the person I am and the faith I have has given me the desire to be the hand that is reaching right back. 

I'll give you a second to grab a tissue...

Okay, so that all sounds good, but am I actually any good at it?

As the Youth Coordinator this year, I managed the recruitment, scheduling and programming of over 500 youth volunteers throughout the course of the year, who helped contribute over 4,000 hours and $18,000 to further the growth and development of Habitat and it’s mission. Their volunteerism helped Habitat complete and dedicate 9 houses this year, with 4 more currently under construction. (because that doesn't sound like it was pulled straight from my resume...)

Beyond the work site, I found places for groups to stay if they volunteered for a week, organized cookouts, beach bonfires, community dinners, and in general, treated them to a daily dose of that Alex charm you've all grown to love. (admit it)

just a small sample of the youth and adult volunteers

So now what?

With my year of service here in Delaware coming to an end, it was time to decide what comes next. If it's not already obvious, I consider this past year to be one of the greatest experiences of my life. 

I've learned that service will be my career, not just my passion.

I've learned that you can love total strangers almost instantly.

I've learned that table saws and fingers don't mix. (learned that the hard way)

I've learned that owning a house can sometimes make all the difference.

And most of all, I've learned that God's plan for me is an adventure that's just getting started.

An adventure you say?

"Washington DC is not a place to live in. The rents are high, the food is bad, the dust is disgusting and the morals are deplorable. Go West, young man, go West and grow up with the country." - Horace Greeley

I'm pretty sure Horace was on to something (in more ways than one), which is why I'll be packing up my belongings, turning my car into my very own mobile home, and moving to Tacoma, Washington in late September for another year as an AmeriCorps member, this time working as a Volunteer Coordinator with the Tacoma/Pierce County Habitat for Humanity. 

The only problem?

Remember the part where I mentioned I have no money?

While that's not entirely true, a cross country move is proving to be more costly that I previously thought. 

The Breakdown

• roughly 3,000 miles / 30 mpg X $3.70/gal = $370 for gas
• tolls along the way = $30-$40
• a 48 hour drive = $150 for motels along the way
• food / drink / Wall Drug bumper sticker = $50

Grand total = right around $600

Now trust me, it's not like I haven't already considered alternative fundraising options:

• donate blood (pretty sure I did that enough this year already)
• bake sale (somebody needs to investigate the girl scout monopoly)
• ponzi scheme (too 2010)
• hold up convenience store (people just laughed)
• forest gump style cross country run (I can't grow a beard)

I think it's pretty clear that I've exhausted all other options...which brings us full circle...

I need your help.

I've started an account at chipin.com, which is a website that allows you to safely and conveniently donate to my fundraising effort using paypal (which will link directly to my paypal account).

To sum up everything I just said, I am looking to spend another year helping alot of incredibly amazing and deserving people experience the dream of homeownership, and need your help getting there. Absolutely every donation will go toward my trip out there, and if you're all amazing and fund me above and beyond that need, it will go towards helping me pay the bills and maybe have a little left over for some fun exploring when I otherwise may not have been able to afford to.

To help break things down, I came up with a little system for donation (and fun rewards!)

It's $600 to go 3,000 miles, so 20 cents per mile.

How many miles will you sponsor?

• 1-100 miles (.20 - $20) 
•  A personalized photo postcard from the road!
• 101-250 miles ($21 - $50) 
• A postcard, plus a phone call where I'll tell you how awesome you are for at least 15 minutes! (you can also pay me not to call you)
• 251-500 miles ($51 - $100)
• A postcard and phone call, plus a handwritten letter with photos once I get there!
• 501+ miles ($101 - )
• Everything else, plus something cool for Christmas from Seattle
• 3,000 miles ($600)
• I'll let you name my first kid

Thank you for taking the time to read and consider this, and please send me your address / phone number if you do decide to sponsor me so I can properly thank you! You can donate by clicking on the widget below, or by going to http://alexkaul.chipin.com/go-west-young-man

And if you don't have paypal or would rather just do it by mail, my address (until September 16th) is:

501 S Bedford St
Georgetown, DE 19947

I love you all, and look forward to sharing my adventures next year with you!

Alex