New Press

Mentors International's 20th Anniversary Gala to Feature David Archuleta

For immediate release
Contact: Mark Petersen, 801-676-7776 ext. 14

DRAPER, UT (August 5, 2010)—Mentors International (Mentors) will celebrate twenty years of lifting the poor in developing countries to self-reliance with its annual fundraising gala October 8, 2010 at the Salt Lake Marriott Downtown hotel.

The Salt Lake City-based nonprofit microfinance and mentoring organization with operations in the Philippines and Central and South America is optimistic for a successful gala that will enable Mentors to lift even more lives from poverty.

Individuals can now purchase tables and individual seats online or by calling 801-676-7776 ext. 10. 

The gala will provide dinner and entertainment with a special performance by American Idol star David Archuleta. Mentors will also honor John Hatch, microfinance pioneer, with its annual International Humanitarian Award.

“Our annual fundraising gala has two primary purposes,” said Mark Petersen, CEO and President.  “First, we want to give as many individuals as possible the opportunity to assist us in teaching, mentoring, and providing financial services as we lift the poor from poverty with a hand up, not a hand out.  Second, we want to raise awareness in our country that there really are effective and responsible ways of solving the world’s massive poverty problem.”

Petersen refers to the 96-percent repayment rate of all the tiny loans Mentors extends to the working poor in the countries they serve.

Archuleta recently returned from a trip with Mentors and his mother to her native Honduras, where they witnessed Mentors’ impact firsthand.

Hatch, known as the father of “village banking”, is the founder of FINCA, one of the world’s leading microcredit institutions, and serves as co-founder and executive committee member of the Microcredit Summit global campaign. He will accept his award in person.

Mentors International began its work in 1990 and has helped lift over 2 million individuals from the grasp of poverty.

For more information about Mentors International, visit its website at www.mentorsinternational.org or contact Petersen at 801-676-7776 ext. 14.

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