Passports With Purpose – San Juan Island Escape Charity Raffle
Last year, before I jumped back on the blogging train, on many of the other Travel Blogs, I remember reading about a Charity Travel Raffle called Passports With Purpose.
I was intrigued enough to click on it last year, and am lucky enough to actually participate in the program this year.
For those of you not familiar, Passports With Purpose is a non-for-profit that was founded in 2008 by Debbie Dubrow, Pam Mandel, Beth Whitman and Michelle Duffy as a way to build community among Travel Bloggers and to give back to the places we, as travelers, visit.
In 2011, through their partnerships with the participating Bloggers, they raised $90,000 to build 2 libraries in Zambia through a partnership with Room to Read.
For 2012, they have brought Passports With Purpose back and are aiming to raise $100,000, which will all be donated to Water.org to help to build water wells in Haiti.
In addition to my prize below, there are a whole host of other Travel Bloggers and Boarding Area Bloggers participating, as well as large corporate sponsors like Expedia, TripIt, HomeAway, TBEX, etc.
Some of the prizes are pretty awesome like 110,000 Hyatt Points, 26 Day Silk Road Tour, 1 Week Trip To Provence, 2 Night Stay at Grand Kaui Resort, and a whole host of other amazing prizes.
There are 86 or so prizes in total, so you are sure to find something you like.
A full list can be found here.
How It Works
In short, Passports With Purpose works like a Raffle.
Simply go to PassportsWithPurpose.org/Donate and choose the prizes you are interested in.
To enter to win a prize, you just have to make a $10 donation.
You can enter as many times as you want for each prize, and it is only $10 per an entry.
On December 11, 2012, they will draw a winner for each of the prizes.
My Prize
Passports With Purpose gave me a 1 night stay at Friday Harbor House on the San Juan Islands, 1.5 hours outside of Seattle, to promote.
Hotel Info
Friday Harbor House is a waterfront inn located in the bustling island seaport of Friday Harbor, home to charming shops, galleries and restaurants. Situated on San Juan Island, the inn features spectacular views of the marina, San Juan Channel and Mount Constitution on neighboring Orcas Island.
Each of the 23 remodeled guest rooms and suites at Friday Harbor House offers a fireplace, oversized jetted bathtub and breathtaking views. Chef Kyle Nicholson prepares an array of fresh fare from the local waters and farms, showcased in a mouthwatering menu of small plates, savory sandwiches, colorful salads and seasonal specialties at The Bluff Restaurant.
Prize Info
Indulge in an authentic island dining experience. Let the feast begin with a gourmet artisan cheese and charcuterie plate and a bottle of wine in your room upon arrival. Then join us at The Bluff Restaurant for a five-course tasting menu expertly crafted by our own Chef Kyle Nicholson. Top it off with a relaxing evening in front of your fireplace and jetted tub-for-two. Prize includes:
- One-night stay
- Dinner for two at The Bluff
- Cheese and charcuterie plate and a bottle of house wine upon arrival
Certificate is valid based on availability for Sunday through Friday nights. Subject to blackout dates; not valid on group bookings; excludes gratuity; has no cash value. Includes taxes and resort fee. Advance reservations are required. Please present original certificate upon check-in.
Recap
Although you don’t have to enter to win my prize, I would appreciate it everyone at least entered to win 1 prize.
It is only $10 per an entry, it is tax deductible, benefits a GREAT cause, and you might even win an awesome prize!
I’m going to India in December and have been there many times before, and have seen first hand what happens when people who don’t have access to clean water.
We obviously take having access to clean water for granted because we can open our tap and get it for free, however to people in Haiti and other Third World Countries, having access to clean water can be the difference between life and death.
Via Credit Cards Sign Up Bonuses, we have all been extremely blessed to stay at Five Star Hotels for free and take First Class Travel for pennies. As a small way to show our gratefulness, I would encourage everyone to at least enter for 1 prize.
This past year, my family has earned over 1,000,000 Miles & Points basically for free, so the least I can do is give back to Passports With Purpose.
If I win something great, but if not I know my money will still be going to a great cause!
-Parag
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