In 2011, World Travel Holdings forged a partnership identifying Make-A-Wish as its signature charity. Since then, the travel company has raised more than $100,000 each year, and in 2018 reached a fundraising milestone exceeding $1 million in donations and granting more than 100 wishes to children with critical illnesses.
World Travel Holdings kicks off its fundraising fiscal year each July with a special promotion where direct-to-consumer brand CruisesOnly donates $5 for every booking made that month, up to $25,000. This promotion also gives customers the opportunity to make a matching $5 donation. Fundraisers held each year include the popular gift basket fundraiser where employees create themed baskets which are raffled, participation in local Walk for Wishes events around the country and the opportunity for employees to give back each paycheck through payroll deduction. Its home-based division, which includes franchise owners with Dream Vacations and CruiseOne and independent vacation specialists with host agency Cruises Inc. also gets involved aboard a cruise ship each year during its weeklong National Conference with fundraisers such as pie in the face, a silent auction and Zumba at sea. In addition, each year one of World Travel Holdings’ corporate offices hosts a sendoff party for a local wish kid themed around the destination to which they are traveling such as a Hawaiian Luau. As a result of all these efforts, in 2017 Make-A-Wish Southern Florida recognized World Travel Holdings as its Corporation of the Year.
In addition to its company-wide support of Make-A-Wish, World Travel Holdings provides all employees with one paid volunteer day a year that they can use supporting any organization of their choice. The company also has a Volunteer Day Hub on its Intranet that not only provides employees with ideas on ways to give back, it highlights employee Volunteer Day experiences inspiring others to make a difference in their communities.
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