Contribute Magazine - May/June 2006

Hands on

While Charities are happy to get your check, they are just as happy to have your hands-on service with their Organization. : In this issue, Contribute's Jesse Ellison considers so-called “volunteer vacations” and provides a short list of nonprofits that give people a chance to do good for others while they travel. : Those who participate not only provide critical services to those in need around the world, they also learn about new and foreign cultures first-hand. : Opportunities vary by region, type of project and length of stay. : Also a plus? Volunteer Vacations can be written off at tax time.

Globe Aware: With 99 percent of its programs lasting just one week, Globe Aware is popular with professionals who have good intentions but no a lot of time. Executive Director Kimberly Haley-Coleman says interest in the nonprofit has grown since 9/11 and last year's natural disasters. Programs promote cultural awareness and sustainability and ensure that volunteers interact with the community quickly. Volunteers can work in the rainforests of Costa Rica or assemble wheelchairs for land-mine victims in Cambodia. www.globeaware.org