Dec 20, 2007
In this holiday time, we might want to remember the non-profits in travel, and their need for support
Because many people make their charitable contributions during the holiday season, they might want to consider three of the non-profit organizations that perform services to our fellow human beings in the field of travel.
Wilderness Inquiry is the Minnesota-based organization (808 14th Avenue SE, Minneapolis 55414; tel. 800/728-0719; www.wildernessinquiry.org) that enables disabled people (including those with slight mental retardation) to go on adventure trips by inviting able-bodied volunteers to join them. On canoeing expeditions, treks, and other active vacations, groups consist of both disabled and able-bodied persons, the latter assisting their less mobile fellow humans to enjoy the thrill of adventures in the out-of-doors. Charges are kept low by the contributions that others make to this extremely worthy, nationwide tour program.
Wilderness Volunteers (P.O. Box 22292, 928-445-0038, Flagstaff, AZ 86002; www.wildernessvolunteers.org) sends youthful, vigorous volunteers (mainly in their 20s to 40s) into the forest areas of America's national and state parks and other public lands, mainly to repair the damage done by heedless visitors. They restore hiking trails, clean up debris and fire sites, plant strategically-located trees, even take inventories of plant and wildlife species. And although the volunteer pays a charge (in 2007, $239) for the weeklong stint, most of the other costs of Wilderness Volunteers is covered by grants and contributions.
SATH, The Society for Accessible Travel and Hospitality (347 Fifth Avenue, New York 10016; tel. 212/447-7284; www.sath.org), is the chief U.S. representative for disabled travelers. It advocates on behalf of the disabled seeking to travel, supplies information to them on travel programs and facilities for the disabled, fights to make travel facilities accessible to them. If you have an acquaintance, friend or relative with a disability, you should not fail to advise them about SATH and its services, and you should also consider a contribution to this remarkable travel organization.
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Wilderness Inquiry is the Minnesota-based organization (808 14th Avenue SE, Minneapolis 55414; tel. 800/728-0719; www.wildernessinquiry.org) that enables disabled people (including those with slight mental retardation) to go on adventure trips by inviting able-bodied volunteers to join them. On canoeing expeditions, treks, and other active vacations, groups consist of both disabled and able-bodied persons, the latter assisting their less mobile fellow humans to enjoy the thrill of adventures in the out-of-doors. Charges are kept low by the contributions that others make to this extremely worthy, nationwide tour program.
Wilderness Volunteers (P.O. Box 22292, 928-445-0038, Flagstaff, AZ 86002; www.wildernessvolunteers.org) sends youthful, vigorous volunteers (mainly in their 20s to 40s) into the forest areas of America's national and state parks and other public lands, mainly to repair the damage done by heedless visitors. They restore hiking trails, clean up debris and fire sites, plant strategically-located trees, even take inventories of plant and wildlife species. And although the volunteer pays a charge (in 2007, $239) for the weeklong stint, most of the other costs of Wilderness Volunteers is covered by grants and contributions.
SATH, The Society for Accessible Travel and Hospitality (347 Fifth Avenue, New York 10016; tel. 212/447-7284; www.sath.org), is the chief U.S. representative for disabled travelers. It advocates on behalf of the disabled seeking to travel, supplies information to them on travel programs and facilities for the disabled, fights to make travel facilities accessible to them. If you have an acquaintance, friend or relative with a disability, you should not fail to advise them about SATH and its services, and you should also consider a contribution to this remarkable travel organization.
Write and read comments about this post.
Labels: volunteer
Fifty years ago, 
Arthur Frommer is generally acknowledged to be the nation's foremost travel authority. He is the founder of the
