Collecting water from the sand in Haiti. Credit: Water.org
What’s better than giving back and winning great prizes that send you around the world in the process?
Most people in the “developed” world take turning on the faucet and getting a drink of water for granted. Long hot showers, loads of clean laundry and a flush toilet are things most of us consider necessities. For many developing countries around the world, however, water is a luxury more precious than gold. That is where a group of travel bloggers are hoping to help with this year’s Passports with Purpose (PwP) fundraiser.
Passports With Purpose
In 2008, four travel bloggers — Debbie Dubrow (Delicious Baby), Michelle Duffy (WanderMom), Pam Mandel (Nerd’s Eye View) and Beth Whitman (Wanderlust and Lipstick) — saw a need to help others in the world they experienced through their travels. Passports With Purpose unites the online world of travel bloggers in its annual fundraiser. I want to encourage all of my readers to get involved as well.
Who does Passports With Purpose benefit?
This year, the fifth year of raising funds for worthwhile causes, 200 travel bloggers have signed up to participate. The pledge is to raise at least $100,000 for five wells in Haiti through a partnership with Water.org, the organization founded by Matt Damon and Gary White. Each of these five wells will serve approximately 370 people and will save countless lives through access to clean drinking water.
The PwP project for 2012 is off to a good start with help from this year’s sponsors: Expedia.com (platinum sponsor); TripIt (gold sponsor); TBEX (silver sponsor); HomeAway (bronze sponsor); Travellerspoint (bronze sponsor); Hostel Bookers (bronze sponsor); and Go With Oh (bronze sponsor). Be sure to watch the gauge on the WanderWithWonder.com home page for updates on the progress.
How to participate
The best part about PWP is that everyone benefits. For each $10 tax-deductible donation to Water.org, you enter to win some fabulous prizes. Who doesn’t want a 26-day journey through Central Asia, a couple of nights in Maui, an Amazon River cruise or even a new backpack? For a full list of prizes, visit Passports With Purpose here. No prize is worth less than $100, some are worth thousands, and all proceeds go directly to Water.org.
Hurry, though. You need to DONATE NOW! The deadline is December 11, 2012 at 11:59 p.m. EST. Winners will be announced on December 18, 2012 — just in time for Christmas.
Bid on a prize now and remember that every dollar helps supply clean water while it gives you a chance to wander to your dream destination. Click here to check out the full list of all 200 participating bloggers.
Haiti water supply. Credit: Water.org
Hi Susan,
Love your blog! You have some great stories and amazing photos. If you ever want to enter some in our contests at BarrelHopping, you can win some cash and get additional exposure to your work. Check us out when you have time and safe travels.
Mike recently posted..Morning in Lijiang – Yunnan, China