R E L I E F   R I D E R S   I N T E R N A T I O N A L



“In my field of travel writing, the description “life-changing” is bandied about loosely, but I could not be more sincere when I say this trip (February 2007 Nagaur Relief Ride) changed my life. (read more)
-- Andrew Mersmann, author of Frommer’s "500 Places Where You Can Make a Difference"




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Great Barrington, MA
01230

(413)329-5876




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October 17th, 2010



Dear Friends:

We are excited to announce that Relief Riders International has been named the recipient of the 2010 United Nations NGO Positive Peace Award in the small business category. Hallmark Inc. was awarded in the large business category.

With all nominations being submitted by nonprofit organizations, these awards, viewed as a 21st century peace prize, honor and recognize organizations positively impacting their communities through corporate responsibility.

The Voting Academy for the United Nations NGO Positive Peace Awards felt both Relief Riders International and Hallmark showed excellence in the areas of self-regulation, employee relations, environmental stewardship and community involvement, comprised of highly respected United Nations NGOs, such as Rotary International, Pathways to Peace and Sister Cities International, the Voting Academy used these and other established criteria, such as philanthropic giving and cause marketing campaigns, to evaluate the top 10 nominees and eventually, determine this year’s winners.

I am delighted that the Positive Peace awards have been created to recognize work  positively impacting our world. I thank Celebrate Positive for having the vision and hosting the event and the United Nations and their NGOs for dedicating their efforts to this cause.

The awards ceremony was held on October 5th. As I stood on the podium receiving this beautiful award I became very aware of how far we have come since the days when Relief Riders International was a thought and deeply grateful for all the people and Relief Riders who have stood up to support us in this journey.

This work would not have been possible without the tireless dedication of the RRI team in India, Dr. Mahesh Arora, Dr. Vinoy Vighneswar, Dr Vivek Chaturvedi and Jajvalya Shukla. This core staff has led me to redefine my sense of service as well as to deepen my understanding of the incredible impact of the act of giving has on oneself and others. My acceptance of this award is with heartfelt gratitude to this team of people who have supported the work of Relief Riders International every step of the way.

While the doctors and our core staff design and expedite all the humanitarian programs it is the expertise of the team we work with at Indo Asia, who seamlessly orchestrate my field research, travel and equestrian logistics. Given the possible challenges we face in the Thar desert we’re very grateful to be able to rely on such a professional team.

It was an honor to share the podium with Don Hall Jr. President and CEO of Hallmark Inc. I was deeply moved by his graciousness and generous spirit, as well as by the recognition that both Relief Riders International and Hallmark received for their commitment to providing people with the opportunity to feel better.

And lastly a deep bow of gratitude to all of you Relief Riders, whom side by side have defined the productive nature and positive outcome of our work. Thank you for coming together for the common cause of making a difference.

Join us this season in India from December 28th 2010 through March 9th 2011 on what promises to be a remarkable experience as we continue our efforts to make a positive change in the world.


Luni New Year’s Relief Ride:

December 28th, 2010 to January 12th, 2011.



Narlai Relief Ride:

January 25th to February 9th, 2011.



Sadarsamand Relief Ride:

February 23rd TO March 9th, 2011.


Sincerely,

Alexander Souri


"Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it."
-- Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe



 

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Don Hall Jr. President and CEO of Hallmark Inc. and Alexander Souri Founder and Executive Director of Relief Riders International



United Nation NGO Positive Peace award winners with members of Celebrate Positive, Pathways to Peace and Rotary International



Pathways to Peace President Avon Mattison awarding United Nations NGO Positive Peace Award to Alexander Souri