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Kellan Lutz and Annalynne McCord Do Good in New Orleans And You Can Too

September 1, 2010 at 12:06 PM | by cmb | 0 Comments

On Sunday, Twilight's Kellan Lutz and his 90210 girlfriend, Annalynne McCord, flew back into LAX after spending a week in New Orleans helping St. Bernard Project build 5 homes for Hurricane Katrina victims who still do not have permanent housing.

“We have a building goal of around the clock building 5 houses in 7 days,” Kellan tweeted on Saturday, “ending tomorrow on the 5th anniversary [of Hurricane Katrina].”

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Beat the End of Summer Blues with a Volunteering Trip to Fiji

Where: Nadi, Fiji
August 25, 2010 at 2:21 PM | by cmb | 0 Comments

Summer may be winding down, but don't get out those winter coats just yet. If a couple of weeks in a warm climate helping kids sounds like a better option than schlepping through the snow, take a look at Projects Abroad's voluntourism trips to Fiji.

Projects Abroad is one of the leading organizations for pairing volunteers with opportunities around the world. In Fiji, Projects Abroad is based in Nadi on the main island of Viti Levu, where they work primarily with children. Care project volunteers work at kindergartens, orphanages or at centers for children with learning disabilities. Most volunteers become teaching volunteers, to assist teachers in the classroom.

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If You're 25 or Under and Want to Change the World, You Can Win AYCJ Passes

August 19, 2010 at 4:31 PM | by JetSetCD | 0 Comments

You know what this week needs? It needs another good travel contest, and luckily we've got one right here...

Hopefully you're not too disheartened by the news that Jetblue has already sold out of their All-You-Can-Jet passes, which allow you to travel Jetblue's route network for one month, because Jetblue is giving away five sets of AYCJ-7 passes to people under age 25 with a plan to put the frequent travel to good use.

Are you passionate about a project, working to take an organization's good word on the road or are you just looking to spread some good in the world, so long as Jetblue flies there? Just share your story here, at DoSomething.org, by August 25 for a chance to share the all-you-can-jet love. If you win, you'll be given a pair of the coveted AYCJ-7 passes, and no worries for those under 18.

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How to Visit Hawaii's Papahanaumokuakea, the USA's Newest UNESCO Site

August 18, 2010 at 10:31 AM | by kjb | 1 Comment

There’s a new spot to add to your Hawaii itinerary, but you might not be able to visit it too easily. Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument is one of the world’s newest UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and it’s the first in the United States in around 15 years. The only downer is that it’s pretty much off limits to tourists unless you’re able to join up with an education or research group.

The area is found in and around the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, but you won't find any tiki torches or umbrella drinks here. That’s why monk seals, sharks, corals, and all kinds of other sea life are free to call it home. Papahanaumokuakea is so important that it was actually recognized by the United Nations for two reasons—for both cultural and natural significance.

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Volunteer with Ritz-Carlton from Boston to Beijing

August 4, 2010 at 2:46 PM | by cmb | 0 Comments

If you think you have to plan months in advance to participate in a voluntourism project, think again. The Ritz-Carlton's volunteer program, The Ritz-Carlton Give Back Getaways, gives hotel guests the opportunity to combine volunteer work and travel with less than 72 hours notice.

As part of the hotel chain's initiative, participants work with hotel employees on half-day local community projects. The program is available at most Ritz hotels around the world. In the U.S., they are currently offering an opportunity in Boston during which guests help serve meals on Friday nights between 4:30pm – 8:00pm to those in need at the Arlington Street Church.

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Volunteer to be a London Ambassador at the 2012 Olympics

July 28, 2010 at 2:31 PM | by cmb | 0 Comments

In addition to all the volunteers needed to keep the London 2012 Olympics running smoothly, the city also wants volunteers who can keep visitors smiling.

Boris Johnson, the Mayor of of London, has launched the Mayor’s London Ambassadors scheme, a new volunteer program in which 8,000 volunteers will be recruited to help show visitors around the city.

"We want our volunteers to be the smiling, happy, proud face of London, without being irritating," Johnson said. Volunteers will get some sweet perks for helping out too, including free travel on public transport in London and the use of a BlackBerry phone.

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Help Rebuild a Fence in Britain and Get a Sweet Tax Write-Off

July 21, 2010 at 11:41 AM | by cmb | 0 Comments

Instead of spending your next trip to Europe at the usual tourist traps, BTCV is giving you the opportunity to explore the countryside, while helping to preserve it.

BTCV (which originated as the British Trust for Conservation Volunteers) plans volunteer vacations throughout the world, including various locations across the United Kingdom. Prices range from $70 to $1,000 (not including travel expenses to get to the location), and last from 2-15 days.

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Join Pick Up America As They Tour the USA, Collecting Trash Along the Way

July 14, 2010 at 1:21 PM | by cmb | 0 Comments

Looking for something to do this summer? Why not join a group of recent college grads who are traveling across the country picking up trash and inspiring others to join the movement toward zero waste?

Pick Up America is currently in their third month of a year-and-a-half long hike across the country where they are picking up trash on the side of the road. As of June 26, 2010, the "Pick Up Artists" had already traveled 338.4 miles and removed 37,048 pounds of litter with 182 volunteers. The group is currently working their way across Virginia and they want your help!

You can join the Pick Up Artists for up to a month this summer as they move west across the country. The group is also looking for locals to come out and help them pick up trash along the road as they pass through your part of the country. To get more information about where and when they are going to be near you, e-mail pickupamerica@gmail.com. To apply to be for the TRASH-ternship Program in which you can travel with the group and put your skills to work on special projects, submit this application. If you're interested in donating to Pick Up America, check out their page on PayPal.

Related Stories:
· Official Site [Pick Up America]
· How to help [Pick Up America]
· Volunteer Travel Coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: Pick Up America]

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Spend Vacation Building Sustainable Housing? Sure, Why Not?

Where: Haiti
July 7, 2010 at 1:07 PM | by cmb | 0 Comments

Earthship Biotecture, an organization that creates sustainable housing from recycled tires filled with compacted earth, has just returned from Haiti where volunteers launched a project to build housing for those still homeless after January's earthquake. Earthship plans to return in October to continue their work and educate locals so they will be able to build their own permanent, sustainable housing, and you can join them on their next mission.

They are currently looking for volunteers who are interested in learning how to build their own Earthship to help those in need on future trips, like the one to Haiti, or for their own use. Right now, they are planning a new Earthship project in Santa Fe, New Mexico and need volunteers who would be willing to work alongside the Earthship crew and learn techniques like tire pounding, installation of thermal wrap, installation of cisterns and site planning.

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How You Can Help Wildlife Effected by the BP Oil Spill

June 9, 2010 at 12:10 PM | by cmb | 1 Comment

President Obama isn't the only one who's trying to find out who's ass to kick for the Gulf Coast Oil Spill. People around the world are looking for answers, solutions and ways to help.

If you're ready to jump on the front lines of the disaster in the Gulf, the National Wildlife Federation is looking for people to join their Gulf Coast Surveillance Teams. Team members will be responsible for daily monitoring of a specific geographic area of coastline that is expected to be effected by the spill.

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Royal Caribbean Will Help You Help the Mexican Red Cross on Your Next Cruise

Where: Cozumel, Mexico
May 26, 2010 at 4:25 PM | by cmb | 0 Comments

Royal Caribbean is now offering guests aboard Oasis of the Seas the chance to spend an afternoon giving back. The cruise line has just added three new excursions in Cozumel, Mexico, including an afternoon of volunteering for the Mexican Red Cross.

The first new excursion, the "Xcaret Shark Encounter", lets passengers snorkel near nurse sharks while learning about shark physiology at the Xcaret Eco Park for an additional feel. The trip is geared toward families with children. It's pretty standard fare for cruise ship excursions, so we're mostly excited about the aspect of getting into a little volunteer travel on our next cruise with the Red Cross option.

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All Volunteery Eyed: Inside The Global Citizen Project

May 26, 2010 at 1:00 PM | by globetrotting gourmet | 0 Comments

HotelChatter, Jaunted and VegasChatter contributor Globetrotting Gourmet aka one Charyn Pfeuffer will be leaving shortly to begin the biggest trip of her life--a year-long voluntourism adventure she's dubbed The Global Citizen Project. Here she explains what she's doing, how she's doing it and most importantly, why. You can also follow Charyn on her journey on Twitter at the handle, @Global_Gourmet as well as read her blog for more in-depth updates.

In seven sleeps, I’ll be on a cross-country red-eye to Miami and then on to Tegucigalpa, Honduras. As soon as I exhale from the inevitable nail biter of a landing at Toncontín International Airport, I’ll embark on the first of 12 volunteer projects I’ll participate in over the course of the next year.

Over the past several years, I’ve spent about one third of my time in Latin American countries, many underserved, but all otherworldly beautiful. I recognize the importance promoting tourism in an editorial capacity plays in a destination’s economic success, but it’s been tough to return from such places and reconcile that a bag of my dog’s kibble costs more than some families earn in a week.

So, I’ve done what any strong-willed, solution oriented Taurus would do--I've decided to swap my perfectly comfortable, decade plus long food and travel writer career for more humanitarian pursuits.

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