Who Am I?

My friends call me Drew...and since that happens to be the name on my birth certificate, most everyone else calls me Drew too. 

I'm a big fan of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness along with seeing those ideals be realized by others. I think Clif Bars are one of the best inventions of all time and I consider myself a dog person (with hedgehogs, horses, cats, and ferrets coming in a close second). 

In 2010, I had an epiphany in the shower to travel the 48 contiguous states in 48 weeks doing volunteer, service, and charity work. This came about after spending many months trying to figure out what I loved to do most in life. It boiled down to traveling, technology, and helping others. I called the adventure 48by48 and in May, I hit the road promoting a "service to others" lifestyle. 

Along the way, I met a multitude of awesome individuals, helped out many fantastic charities, and created a tribe of volunteers working to make their world better. I was surprised when local and national media outlets took notice of the adventure, and was delighted to spread the message to a larger audience. And out of the blue, Reader's Digest named me the "Best Sojourner of the Year" of 2011 -- all this let me know that it was essential for me to continue the journey well past the initial 48 weeks.

You may be asking yourself...

Why Nevada?

After spending my first year in the Keystone State - Pennsylvania - 

Maybe it's the rugged terrain, diverse people groups, or unique food venues that made me move to Pennsylvania -- or maybe not.

The Keystone State was chosen back in January by popular vote to be my home for the 33rd year of my life. PA won hands down over its main competition of Iowa, North Dakota, Hawaii, and Maine. Many of the people who voted for Pennsylvania commented that I should help out at a horse rescue they really liked, others highlighted the rich history of the state, and some voted PA just to spite the Iowa voters. (The democratic process -- gotta love it!)

For me, letting a group of strangers pick where I spend a year was a joy! Like the old proverb that says, "everywhere you go, there you are", I'm super excited to be right smack-dab in the middle of twelve and a half million people, living, discovering, and connecting.

It just so happens that this is what Here-A-Year is all about.

Live: To be a part of the state’s diverse cultures.

1. Audience will choose the state in which for me to live
2. Stay with locals, travel throughout the state
3. Seek out colloquialisms, religious affiliations, the arts, traditional foods, standards of living, people groups, and music

Discover: To participate in and encourage others to enjoy the best the state has to offer.

1. Eateries & drinkeries
2. Places of interest
3. People of interest
4. Events
5. Cultural Activities
6. Sporting
7. Outdoors / Wilderness
8. Design (architecture, layouts)

Connect: To promote great causes, people, and organizations.

1. Highlight local charities
2. Organize community projects
3. Encourage volun-tourism

i.e. My Responsibilities

1. Live for 1 year in state chosen by audience.
2. To embody the three verbs (Live, Discover, Connect).
3. To bust the myth that “there’s nothing to do around here!”
4. Partner with the boards of tourism, chamber of commerces, and charitable organizations.
5. Lead a community development project within the area of travel.
6. Creating content to promote the state and the “Here-A-Year” project.

- 20+ episodes /year

- Weekly blog updates

- Build network through social media

- Produce a yearly product