AAA Traveler - Holiday 2019 - 23

When it comes to traveling,
gratitude is a game changer.
Beyond the obvious - being thankful for the resources
to get out of Dodge in the first place - celebrating a
journey by making some kind of contribution along
the way is a powerful force for good. Mindful altruism
comes in all flavors, from simply making a monetary
donation to the community you're visiting to
jumping into a project with some sweat equity
and teamwork. However it's done, the notion
of making a positive impact along the way
elevates a holiday to the most
satisfying heights.

Global Volunteers
Type of Opportunity: Voluntourism
Details: The nonprofit clearing house for giving back sends
more than 2,000 volunteers each year to 17 countries
(including the U.S.) to do everything from providing childcare
to repairing community facilities. The cost of your trip is a
tax deductible donation that covers everything but airfare.
Projects can include teaching English to Vietnamese youth
and adults, as well as community gardening in Cuba. The
adventure is up to you.

e

PAck for A Purpos

TreAdright FoundAtion
& vAried preferred trAvel pArtners

Type of Opportunity: Various projects
Details: Comfort and giving back don't need to be mutually
exclusive. Roughing it might not be your cup of tea, which is why
the TreadRight Foundation is such a gem. This nonprofit works
with some of the most trusted luxury brands - think Trafalgar,
Insight Vacations and Uniworld - to support more than 50
sustainable tourism projects worldwide. Organized in
three categories: people, wildlife and planet, TreadRight
projects might have you supporting rhino conservation,
assisting locals preserving ancient ways of life or
connecting with a women's cooperative in Jordan.

Sandals & Beaches resorts
Type of Opportunity: Stay and do
Details: Sandals and Beaches resorts are brands
synonymous with cushy all-inclusive Caribbean beach
getaways for families, friends and couples. But the company,
founded by Jamaican entrepreneur Butch Stewart, is serious
about improving the communities in which it operates.
Coordinating educational, community and environmental
programs on eight Caribbean islands, the Sandals
Foundation offers a range of opportunities for guests to give
back on vacation, by donating time or resources in ways
that help local students, support local community events or
promote sea turtle conservation.

Type of Opportunity: Give back
Details: What's in your suitcase? Besides the usual
duds and toiletries, Pack for a Purpose is a nonprofit that
encourages travelers to save five pounds' worth of luggage
space for school supplies, medical equipment and other
necessities that can be donated to locals in need. With
travelers doing the not-so-heavy lifting, more than 312,413
pounds of essential supplies have been donated to schools,
animal shelters and community clinics in some 60 countries
all over the world since 2010. Talk about a win/win.

Carnival Cruise Line
Type of Opportunity: Give and do
Details: Taking a Carnival Cruise Line voyage delivers all
kinds of fun, but the popular cruise line isn't just about having a
blast at sea. Carnival's Care to Play program supports St. Jude
Children's Research Hospital for Children, so far raising more
than $17 million to help St. Jude fight childhood cancer. On land,
Carnival team members spread smiles to kids in treatment at the
hospital, from providing birthday cakes to holding teen formals
to hosting a day of play with Dr. Seuss
characters. At sea, you and your
family can get involved by
getting your groove on.
After Hurricane Dorian
Groove for St. Jude is
devastated the Bahamas recently,
a regular fundraising
several cruise lines provided
dance party that lets
timely assistance. The Carnival
guests hit the deck to
Corporation, Royal Caribbean,
show off their moves,
Disney Cruise Line, Norwegian
with 100 percent of all
and others delivered food, water
donations going directly
and supplies, as well as pledged
more than $5 million in funding
to St. Jude.
for future relief efforts.
AAA Traveler - Holiday 2019

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