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What is the American Airlines 'Snowball Express?'

There’s plenty good causes that would appreciate a few moments of your time or a little extra funding this holiday season, but American Airlines’ Snowball Express has to be one of the best for #avgeeks. Despite their own misfortune this holiday season, they’re going full speed ahead to bring a little cheer to the children of fallen military heroes.

American Airlines has been doing this for a few years now, and this year is no exception. This year’s events kick off of December 9 and run through December 13 in Dallas. It all begins with a Walk of Gratitude on December 10 in and around the American Airlines Center, as one and all are encouraged to welcome the children and families flown into town for a few days of rest, relaxation, and fun.

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Airline News / Airlines / American Airlines / United Airlines / Southwest Airlines / Charity / → All Tags

What Airlines Are Giving Back This Holiday Season, and How You Can Help

Passengers usually have plenty of complaints for the airlines during the holiday season. With all the delays, crowds, and cramped seats it’s easy to moan and groan about something. However, we wanted to take a moment to recognize some of the good the airlines are doing this holiday season, so here’s a little bit about some airlines giving back this season:

· Southwest Airlines:
Besides being nice to all the checked bags this holiday season, Southwest Airlines is teaming up with Facebook to help out the Make-A-Wish Foundation. The only catch is that they need the help of passengers like you to raise the cash. This season passengers need to check-in on Facebook Deals at any of Southwest’s 69 airports upon arrival, and the airline will donate $1 each time someone does so.

Just use your iPhone or other smart-device to share your location, and a buck will automatically go towards kids who need a little extra happiness this year. Southwest is getting pretty generous as well, as they’re promising to keep the little philanthropic promotion going until $300,000 has been raised for Make-A-Wish.

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India Travel / Beggars / Cafes / Restaurants / Charity / → All Tags

Mumbai's Drive-Thru Hunger Cafes

The New York Times today reports on an interesting trend in Mumbai where "hunger cafes" take drive-by donations for the starving. These restaurants serve cheap meals to the poor who sit in front and wait for passing motorists to give them the cash they need to eat.

The hunger cafes are clustered together on a street in the city's Muslim Mahim neighborhood. They serve rice and "yellow curried gruel" in both meaty and vegetarian varieties. A meal at one of the cafes costs about 25 cents.

According to the Times, this up close and personal style of charity is a part of Indian culture. The paper reports that "anonymous, checkbook-style charity has yet to catch on" in India. Mumbaikars apparently prefer what the Times describes as good old fashioned "feudal charity: making donations to those below you in your household chain of command."

Related Stories:
· In a Restaurant Row, Drive-Through Charity [NYT]
· India Travel coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: NYT]