La Parroquia, San Miguel de Allende, Mexico
When I’m not performing my duties as a recovering lawyer or as a Certified Zentangle Addict Teacher (CZT), I’m a travel blogger. I have an apparently incurable case of wanderlust I can trace to 1963 when my father took us to live in Mexico for a year. I also enjoy writing and photography, so travel blogging ticks some important boxes for me. I’ve found that one unanticipated bonus in being a travel blogger is that other travel bloggers (and especially Baby Boomer travel bloggers), are kindred spirits. Most are supportive, generous and kind, both on line and IRL (in real life). Since by definition, we travel, we actually do get to cross paths and hang out from time to time.
Travel bloggers experience much natural and human-made beauty in the world. However, we don’t travel with blinders on. We also see the ravages of war, poverty, despair and disease. Sometimes the problems seem overwhelming. In response, eight years ago, four travel bloggers created Passports with Purpose, a way that travel bloggers and travel brands can work together to try to address at least a small part of the disadvantages besetting some of the people with whom we share our planet.
Each year, Passports with Purpose chooses a carefully vetted non-profit organization that is performing important work on the ground to improve the lives of those less fortunate. You can read about past organizations chosen by Passports with Purpose as the beneficiary of their annual fundraiser here.
This year, Passports with Purpose is donating to Worldreader, a program dedicated to bringing digital books to those who would otherwise have limited access to reading. The particular project to which Passports with Purpose is donating in 2015:
[W]ill bring digital reading to five libraries in western Kenya. The e-readers will provide an estimated 6,250 children, teachers and parents with access to more than 50,000 books.
The project includes comprehensive training for librarians and the readers are equipped with the capacity for solar charging. Passports with Purpose was particularly impressed that Worldreader “operates at the intersection of technology and indigenous culture.”
“Aha”, you say. “I knew she was going to ask me to donate money to this cause.” You are right. I hope you will. To encourage you to do so right now, I am telling you that if you contribute before midnight (Eastern Standard Time), this Wednesday, November 18, 2015, for every $10 you donate, you are registered for a chance to win awesome prizes you designate from 40 different choices. I think you will find at least one prize (probably more) that you will deem more than worthy. There are trips, tours, gift cards, apparel, jewelry, electronics, and stays at North American and international hotels and resorts.
You won’t have long to wait. Winners will be notified on November 22nd. (If you’re reading this after November 18, 2015, you can still donate, but you won’t be eligible for the prizes drawing. You can just bask in the warm glow of knowing you’re helping others. 🙂 )
[And, just because I’m still a recovering lawyer (but not your lawyer), you can (and probably should) read the official contest rules.]
In case you missed it, click on this link to DONATE!
As you know, I love when people post comments on my blog posts. They make me delude myself feel that perhaps I’m not just whistling in the dark, that maybe, someone is actually reading my prose. However, just this time, I’d be insanely happy appreciative if you would share this post so perhaps others will also consider a donation. If you are bored and want to leave a comment too, that would be lovely. 😉
{ 13 comments… read them below or add one }
I always get such a kick out of your strikethroughs when you write. Happily sharing this worthy cause.
Thank you! Everything I’m reading is that bloggers need to be “authentic”. The strike outs are little bits of authentic thought processes. 😉
Great to see this getting so much attention. BTW, one of the prizes just happens to be a stay at New York’s fabulous Library Hotel. Just wanted to take one more chance to thank them for donating.
Thanks for affording me this wonderful opportunity to donate to such a worthy case. I’m all in:)
Thank you so much, Jackie.
What a wonderful cause and that is fantastic that all of your collaborated together to organize it, Suzanne! 🙂
Thanks for stopping by, Mike.
How could a librarian resist a cause like this? Thanks for this post. Just donated. Didn’t sign up for prizes though. that gives everyone else a better chance to win.
Thanks Roz.
That’s so kind of you on so many levels.
I’m very happy to share this worthwhile cause! Reading was an inspiration to me as a child and is important in so many ways.
Thanks for reminding my about Passports with Purpose. Do you know if they use blogger support for setting up the prizes (for next year)? It would be fun to be in the loop earlier.
I came to this late but I’m not bored (and STILL I leave a comment, smile so you must not be whistling in the dark) and I will donate. That is an awesome thing they’re doing. Reading is a passion of mine to the point I could probably live on a deserted island with my solar-powered Kindle full of books for a long, long time. Chocolate would probably force me to visit the real world at some point, tho.