Today the kids are home in observance of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday. In 1994 Congress designated this Federal Holiday as a day of service intended to help strengthen communities. It got me thinking that I should share with you all ways to help strengthen the communities in the islands.
When the Hurricanes hit, our family began looking at ways to give back to help them recover. Some of our favorite destinations suffered tremendous damage. Coral World in St. Thomas for one and so much of Puerto Rico. I know people who cancelled plans to visit the islands because they might not have been 100% and my heart breaks when that happens. The islands NEED us. They need tourism. Sometimes when you see such devastation it may not be in the area you are visiting yet your dollars help so many.
So in honor of MLK, Jr. day here are some ways you can give back when you vacation to the islands.
1. Voluntourism: many lines such as Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, Princess, Holland and others offer excursions tailored to giving back. Excursions could include immersing yourself in their culture and helping plant gardens or trees, removing trash from the beaches, and working with children or the elderly. Don’t want to pay to do an excursion why not bring an extra plastic bag and while out walking on the beach grab the trash on your way! A small way to help and get everyone involved in the clean up.
When we were in St. Marteen in April 2018 we found so much metal wash ashore that my husband picked up what he could and took it the trash.
2. Onboard: You may notice if you’ve been onboard before special fundraising efforts. Carnival raises money for St. Jude (Groove for St. Jude) and Royal Caribbean raises money for the World Wildlife Fund. They will ask for cash donations but most of the time they raise awareness and money via events like the Groove for St. Jude-a dance party or 5K walks around the top decks onboard. In exchange for your donation you’ll receive a t-shirt, bracelet and sometimes other goodies such as receptions and more! You can also participate by purchasing items in the gift shops where the money is donated back to the cause.
3. Pack for a Purpose. This site is a great one for all travelers. The program implies exactly as stated. Pack up goods for a purpose. It’s as easy as going to their website: www.packforapurpose.org and selecting your destination, finding the local resort, hotel or tour company participating (where you drop your goods), choose the supplies you wish to take from the specific list and then when you are in town drop them off! How easy is this? We are looking into doing this on our next trip in May! This is the direct link to the Islands: https://www.packforapurpose.org/destinations/caribbean/.
What do you think?