What’s Happening With Village Reach: Fundraisers, Relief Efforts, Internship Updates, and More!
VR Cofounders Chase Collins and Katlyn van Wingerden with her son Zealand and pilot Cameron Imani
At Village Reach, we’re always working to make a difference, whether it’s through fundraising, disaster relief, global initiatives, or empowering future nonprofit leaders. We’re excited to share some incredible updates! From our upcoming Think and Give Trivia Night fundraiser in Kentucky to our charity runners taking on major marathons, we’re finding new and creative ways to expand our reach. We’re also highlighting the impact of our flood relief efforts in Eastern Kentucky, showcasing our global Dreamers making waves in Cambodia, Colombia, and India, and sharing insights from our internship program.
A Fun Way to Fundraise
On April 18, 2025, Village Reach will host a trivia night fundraiser at Unify Coffee. This event, primarily planned by Kayla Highbaugh, our spring intern, will take place in Nicholasville, Kentucky, just a short drive outside of Lexington, from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. EDT. The trivia night, named Think and Give, will center on around-the-world questions with a sprinkle of Village Reach throughout the event. With the cost of entry, players will be provided tickets that can be used to bid on awesome prizes from local businesses. In addition to trivia night, Unify Coffee will be selling food and drinks from their menu.
“Think and Give is a great opportunity to bring our community together in Lexington, where both our co-founders and many of our supporters live, to celebrate Village Reach’s global impact and reflect on where we should serve next in the U.S. We’re raising both money and awareness to expand our mission to our own backyard, and I hope you’ll join us in prayer and reflection—where should we go? What critical issues should we address? This is a big decision, and I’d love for you to help us find the right candidates. Let’s come together in support of the U.S. Dreamer Search and make a real impact.”
The fundraising goal is $400. Why? The US Dreamer will provide Village Reach with a fourth mission location. With an intern, Village Reach has become a team of four. “The number four just seems lucky for the cause!”—Kayla Highbaugh. There will be a link in Village Reach’s Instagram bio to a Zeffy page for donations. Donations can also be given through Venmo and cash at the event. If you would like to donate early, the link to the Zeffy page is below.
Helping Our Neighbors
After the devastating flooding that recently struck Eastern Kentucky, our team at Village Reach knew we couldn’t just stand by. In times of crisis, communities come together, and we were determined to do our part. That’s why we organized a donation drive, collecting much-needed supplies and funds for the Kentucky Relief Fund. But we didn’t stop there—we personally delivered these supplies to Pikeville and Hazard, ensuring they reached the hands of those who needed them most.
A special shoutout goes to Cameron Imani (our friend, videographer, and pilot) who played a crucial role in transporting supplies via airplane. With his help, we were able to extend our reach and support more people in need.
The people affected by this disaster are facing an overwhelming challenge—not only do they need resources, but they also need helping hands. From clearing debris and demolishing unsafe structures to assisting in the rebuilding efforts, every bit of support makes a difference.
VR Cofounder Chase delivering supplies to the Eastern Kentucky flood site
We asked Jordyn Amundsen, airport manager at Hazard, some questions:
Where were you when flood happened?
“It just kept raining and by the time it stopped we were at 7 inches in 18 hours. We saw the water completely take over the down town area. Flooded the parks first and then the bridge.”
What do the victims need?
“Most people need help rebuilding. Tearing down old damaged stuff, cleaning, just hands to help.”
Have you seen others help?
”Village Reach is the only one through the airport but we have seen help from others. It's not just non profits, regular people are helping. It takes just one to help out and it started to build.”
At Village Reach, we truly believe in the saying, “it takes a village.” That belief is what drove us to step up and support our fellow Kentuckians during this difficult time. Rebuilding won’t happen overnight, but with kindness, generosity, and teamwork, we can help Eastern Kentucky recover, one step at a time.
Representatives Going the Extra Mile
Exciting news—Village Reach has launched a brand-new way to fundraise! We are now sponsoring charity runners, combining the power of athletics with our mission to make a difference. This initiative allows passionate individuals to support Village Reach in a meaningful way while pushing themselves to achieve incredible personal goals.
We’re proud to introduce our very first charity runners! Cameron will be taking on the challenge of the London Marathon on April 27th, and Madeline is gearing up to run the Denver Colfax Half Marathon on May 17th. To support their efforts, we’ve set a fundraising goal of $100 per mile—totaling $2,120 for Cameron’s marathon and $1,310 for Maddy’s half marathon. Every dollar raised will go directly toward helping Village Reach continue its vital work.
This new fundraising initiative is an exciting opportunity to not only raise funds but also to expand our reach, connecting with more people around the world who believe in our mission.
Want to get involved? Whether it’s by donating, spreading the word, or even lacing up your own running shoes for a future event, we’d love to have you join us in this movement. Let’s go the extra mile together!
Dreamers Making a Difference
Our Dreamers around the world have been hard at work, making a real difference in their communities!
In Cambodia, Vuthy is spearheading a new project—building a duck farm to help supplement the Youth Development Center’s (YDC) staff while also providing a self-sustaining food source for families in the community. This initiative not only fosters economic independence but also strengthens local food security. Meanwhile, the newly built classrooms at the YDC are now fully in use, and both students and staff are absolutely loving their new learning spaces!
Over in Colombia, Karson and Eyson are pouring their energy into planning an exciting student retreat happening this June. Their youth group has been growing at an incredible rate, to the point where they are quickly outgrowing their current space. Seeing so many young people eager to participate and engage is a testament to the positive impact they are making in the community.
In India, Matt is making huge strides with one of Village Reach’s biggest projects to date—Manna Market. The construction is in its final stages, and in just a few short weeks, it will officially open! The anticipation in Paraolon Village is growing by the day, and the excitement surrounding the market’s launch is a powerful reminder of how transformative this project will be. Providing a hub for local commerce and fresh food access, Manna Market is set to become a cornerstone of the community.
It’s inspiring to see these projects come to life, and none of it would be possible without the dedication of our incredible team and supporters. Stay tuned as we continue to share updates from around the world—because together, we’re making a lasting impact!
Internship Update
Starting this internship with Village Reach has been an incredibly eye-opening and impactful experience for me. Before joining, I had a general idea of how nonprofits operate, but seeing the day-to-day work has shown me just how complex it really is. From behind-the-scenes logistics to community outreach, I’ve gained a deeper understanding of what it takes to turn a mission into meaningful action.
One of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned is how Village Reach strategically implements its initiatives to create real change. Seeing firsthand the different routes Village Reach takes to spread its message has been both inspiring and educational. I’ve also had the opportunity to develop new skills, particularly in digital outreach. Alyssa has been an amazing mentor, teaching me how to effectively use social media, this newsletter, and other online platforms to spread Village Reach’s message to as many people as possible. Learning how to leverage digital tools for nonprofit advocacy has been an invaluable experience that I know will help me in my future career.
As I continue my internship, I’m excited to further hone my skills and build on everything I’ve learned. This opportunity has solidified my passion for nonprofit work, and I can’t wait to see where this journey takes me next!
