The Scottsdale Chronicle
Published: Saturday, September 17, 2011
Salt River, Arizona - While the rest of us had dreams of growing up to be ballerinas, firefighters and astronauts, Dr. Donna Gaudet, professor of mathematics at Scottsdale Community College, dreamed of contributing to something bigger than herself.
Gaudet, known to many of her students as a more casual "Dr. G." said, "I feel like my purpose on earth is to give to others in any way that I can."
Gaudet's drive to give to others and achieve outstanding goals has proven beneficial to many more than just her students. This past summer Gaudet and her friend Kate Helms-Tillery swam a 5.3-mile stretch clear across Lake Pend Oreille in Idaho to raise money for the Aogaah Foundation.
Aogaah Foundation is a non-profit organization created and run by Rick Meyer, retired instructor of mathematics at Mesa Community College (MCC), which operates and funds a completely free alternative school for grades K-6 in Cambodia.
Aogaah is a Khmer word meaning "opportunity." Inspirational and appropriately named, the school teaches its pupils to speak, read and write their own language, Khmer, for no price at all.
Other schools in Cambodia are funded strictly from bribes from the students, which most families with an income of $1 per day cannot afford.
This foundation gives students an opportunity to learn and become well-equipped for adulthood.
Gaudet learned about Meyer's ambitions for Aogaah in 2005 while employed at Mesa Community College. Gaudet unknowingly gave Aogaah its first non-board member donation. In 2010, she visited the Aogaah Foundation school and Meyer in Cambodia for the first time.
"I thought five miles is a long way to swim," Gaudet said while explaining why she and Helms-Tillery swam five miles for $5,000. "Maybe people would get excited about that and do a pledge for the swim," she said of her intention.
Physically and mentally preparing for the swim was tricky, but once she had it down and was in front of the water, Gaudet knew it was time to go and forget what was behind her as she and Helms-Tillery took off in different directions. However, they headed for the same goal.
"I could just float in because I just felt like there was so much support," she said, describing the last mile of the swim into Garfield Bay. She and Helms-Tillery's families and close friends awaited their arrival ashore to congratulate them.
"Donna's active involvement has been a role model for others," Meyer said of Gaudet's involvement in Aogaah. "She sets the example, she sets the standards, and she is an inspiration."
Gaudet and Helms-Tillery raised roughly $4,800 with their swim, which funds a half of one year's worth of schooling for this educational year.
Meyer said he "jokingly told her (Gaudet) no good deed should go unpunished and invited her to join the foundation's board." Gaudet now honorably serves as vice president of Donor Relations for Aogaah.
Gaudet's involvement in the foundation is not dying out any time soon. Keep up with Gaudet and her journey via her blog: www.donagee.wordpress.com.
No comments:
Post a Comment