Anh Pham-Nguyen - Extraordinary Volunteer Giving back to welcome refugee newcomers
| (From left) Joe Zimmerman, Linda Khotsyphom, Anh Pham-Nguyen, Mike Zambrana, Archisman Munshi, Jason Fry, Aruna Gopinath, Steve Hubbard and Ron Sakai present a check to the International Institute. |
It has been easy for Anh Pham-Nguyen to connect with the mission and clients of the International Institute. After all, she and her family were once refugees themselves.
"I still remember how hard it was for my family, especially my Mom, when we were resettled in Atlanta in 1975," said Anh. "I so appreciate what America has done for my family and have always wanted to give back."
Anh jumped at the chance to serve on the Institute's Board of Directors almost three years ago. She was delighted to learn that refugees in St. Louis were receiving the ever-so-valuable English classes, employment and orientation support that newcomers need.
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2016 Trivia Night is Biggest Ever Raising funds for newly-arriving refugees
| Trivia fans fill the Institute gym with their knowledge. |
Trivia Night was a huge success. Although it was held on April Fool's Day, the support the event generated for our newly-arrived refugees was no joke! More than $11,500 was raised for the Tao Refugee Resettlement Fund - signifying a 30% increase from 2015.
Nearly 300 people crowded into the Institute's gym as Trivia Night players and volunteers. The competition stretched players' memories to the brink. The categories produced sometimes hysterical laughter as table buddies stretched their brains to remember national anthems, funky international liquors, and even snacks from around the world. The sold-out crowd was in tight competition with Dean Berry's table claiming victory and a complimentary table in 2017.
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