Nexion Travel Group raised nearly $67,000 for the Family Bonds Foundation at its annual CoNexion conference through a series of fundraising initiatives largely made possible through a variety of prize donations from preferred travel supplier partners. In addition, Nexion Travel Group and its members donated more than three pallets of school supply items to children in Haiti during the annual CoNexion gathering held this month aboard Royal Caribbean International’s Harmony of the Seas, which makes regular stops in Labadee, Haiti.
The Family Bonds Foundation, of which Nexion’s Jackie Friedman is president, serves the charitable needs of those who work within the travel industry as well as the broader community. Grants are awarded to support those needing assistance as a result of natural disasters, illness and a variety of other types of financial hardship.
The first leg of Nexion Travel Group’s latest fundraising initiative began with a raffle that ran through much of September and offered cruises from AmaWaterways, Carnival Cruise Line, Norwegian Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, Royal Caribbean International and Viking Cruises. A stay in the Dominican Republic provided by GOGO Vacations, as well as a $250 gift card supplied by Nexion, were also offered.
A silent auction also took place during CoNexion with auction items including luxury voyages aboard AmaWaterways, Paul Gauguin Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises, a five-night stay in Cancun from GOGO Vacations and a $5,000 credit towards any Globus family of brands vacation package. Other travel supplier donations included travel packages from Nexion Travel Group’s airline, hotel and cruise preferred suppliers.
Some unique educational experiences were also part of the silent auction including the opportunity to spend a day with Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity Cruises in Miami, a day with AmaWaterways in Calabasas, CA, and a day with Nexion Travel Group in Irving, Texas. Each included one-on-one time with senior leadership, along with air transportation and hotel stay.
A charity walk aboard Harmony of the Seas during CoNexion also raised funds for the Family Bonds Foundation. Additionally, during the ship’s stop in Labadee, Haiti, Nexion Travel Group members, led by member Sandy Clark, donated more than three pallets of school supplies, including backpacks, pens, notebooks and other items, to local children during a special presentation in that port of call. The donations were enough to supply nine Haitian schools.
The presentation was attended by Friedman and other Nexion representatives, along with Vicki Freed, Senior Vice President of Sales, Trade Support and Service from Royal Caribbean International and Dr. Dulaurier Jacques, a Docteur en Medecine, Depute de Terre Neuve/Haiti 50e Legislature.
For more information, visit join.nexion.com.
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