If you're one of those who file their taxes at the last possible moment, you've probably got deductions on your mind. When you can take a deduction on a charitable donation and get a vacation out of it, we've got to tell you about it. Starting on April 15, get your 2005 deductions rolling in the right direction by joining in on what's being called "The Great Online Travel Auction for Kids."
Benefiting children who are the victims of abuse in countries like Latvia where resources scarce (or non-existent), the Kids First Fund attempts to improve their lives through building awareness, education and empowering children with a variety of social programs. All funds raised from this year's auction will go toward the construction of Latvia's first family shelter helping abused women and children. Developed with the Latvian government, the shelter aims to help victims of domestic ause by providing them with a community of emotional therapy and medical services. Currently, Latvia has no shelters that provide care for children and their mothers. Abused children are simply placed in orphanages. The new shelter will be a haven for abused children. No monies raised go towards fundraising or administrative costs.
The online travel auction can be reached through www.kidsfirstfund.org or via eBay.com at http://members.ebay.com/aboutme/kidsfirstfund. More than one hundred airline tickets and hotel stays will be available with bids opening at $1. Participating airlines include Song, ATA, AirTran Airways, Independence Air, LAN Airlines, jetBlue Airways, Midwest Airlines, South African Airways, Sun Country Airlines, Swiss International Airlines and Virgin Atlantic Airways. Participating hotels include Hilton, Intercontinental Hotels and Xanterra Parks & Resorts. Cruise America has donated an RV vacation. Destinations include Europe, South America, the Caribbean, Canada and destinations across the continental Unites States. Most hotel stays are for two nights.
"The Kids First Fund completed its first online travel auction in 2004," explained board president Jay Sorensen, a leading consultant in the travel industry. "Thanks to the generosity of our airline and hotel partners, we raised more than $30,000 to protect abused children in countries where resources are extremely limited. We're hopeful we can do even more in 2005."
Sorenson knows the Latvian landscape well. He and his wife adopted two Latvian children. "I started the Kids First Fund as a tool to "give back" and to recognize the blessings our family has received," he writes in a message on the Kids First Fund website. "This is a very personal mission."
To take place in the auction that runs from April 15 to April 28, 2005, you need to be registered with eBay. If you aren't already, just go to eBay.com and click the "register" button on the top toolbar. The rest is easy as filling in a few blank fields.
With bids starting at $1, who knows what kind of travel deals you can find. Just remember, it all goes to a great cause. You'll see some returns next April 15, as well as cause a lot of smiles in Latvia, where the money's needed most.
