Doing Good: Passports with Purpose

As I sit here on this Sunday morning, contemplating Christmas cards, Christmas gifts and all the holiday cheer and happiness that gets lost in my stress, I struggle with ideas on how to get back to the meaning of the season. Gift buying is particularly stressful for me. I have become increasingly frustrated with stuff. buying stuff for people who probably don’t want it. Or, if they do want it, don’t really need it. In addition, I don’t want stuff. More stuff to take care of, more stuff tying me down, more stuff that ends up in the landfill once it is broken or “empty”.

Once in the past, I tried giving “gifts of hope” … charitable donations in the name of other people along with a small token, useful gift. I liked this type of gift giving. I don’t worry so much if the recipient wants/needs the gift. There’s not a lot of packaging involved. I feel the love of the season in that we’re making the world a better place instead of filling it up with junk.

The past few months, I’ve started following a number of “family travel bloggers” on the web, enjoying their stories of traveling with kids and sharing my own stories as well. Through this, I’ve been introduced to a wonderful fundraiser called Passports with Purpose. This year, 2010, marks the third year of the fundraiser. In the past, money was raised for Heifer International and to build a school in Cambodia. This year, the coalition of bloggers are working towards raising $50,000 to build a village in rural India in conjunction with LAFTI International. While this fundraiser was my first introduction to the organization, I believe it to be an extremely worthy cause; I hope you’ll visit the Friends of LAFTI to learn more for yourself.

Travel bloggers from all over have offered up prizes, either on their own or through sponsors, to put the FUN in this fundraiser! For each ten dollar donation, you can enter fora chance to win a fabulous prize, ranging from small to big, including lots of travel goodies, like hotel rooms and airfare too!

Those of you who are on my gift list, don’t be surprised if I donate money in your name and enter you to win one of the fabulous prizes available.

If you’d like to join me in this cause, visit the list of prizes and make a donation (in your own name or as a gift to someone else) today. But, hurry, the fundraiser ends on Monday, December 13th!