BootsnAll began in 1998 out of a desire for community, a need to know that all the good vibes felt while traveling weren’t limited to the time spent on the road. 13 years later, we’ve managed to keep that desire front and center when we work and, in some cases, to turn that work into travel-y good deeds.
This is why the annual Passports with Purpose travel blogging fundraiser is something we love – it’s about community, it’s about travel, and it’s about giving back to the world that we traverse with so much joy.
If you’re new to Passports with Purpose, or unsure of how you can help, here are some links to point you in the right direction.
Not familiar with Passports with Purpose? Passports with Purpose is a travel blogging fundraiser that’s now in its fourth year. Travel bloggers procure prizes, and during the fundraiser people can donate to that year’s charity in $10 increments. Each $10 donation is an entry to win one of the prizes available. In previous years, PwP has raised enough money to build a school in Cambodia and a village in India – all through the efforts of travel bloggers and their readers contributing $10 at a time.
Want to know more about this year’s beneficiary?
The 2011 Passports with Purpose beneficiary is Room to Read, an organization dedicated to early childhood literacy and getting books into kids’ hands all over the world. This year’s goal is to raise $80,000 to build two libraries in Zambia.
Want to know how you can help?
It’s easy to look at a number like $80,000 and think it’s daunting. Past goals have looked daunting, too, and then we as a travel blogging community have managed to knock them out of the park.
We can do that again this year, but only with your help.
Are you a travel blogger? You can host a prize on your blog, tell your readers about Passports with Purpose, promote PwP on social media, and put a PwP badge up on your site.
Are you a traveler? You can ask the travel bloggers you like if they’re participating in Passports with Purpose, and be ready to donate (and, fingers crossed, win something!) when the donation page opens on November 30.
Are you a company with a prize to donate? You can let the folks at Passports with Purpose know and they’ll help connect you with a travel blogger to work with.
Passports with Purpose is a community-driven effort – it can’t happen without travel bloggers, or donations, or prizes. Each piece is critical. Where do you fit in?
We’ve got big news this week at BootsnAll: we’re launching a new new European rail tool that will allow you to not only book your European rail tickets online in one place, but that also offers some pretty significant discounts on the Italian rail system. By train is one of the best ways to see much of Europe, particularly Italy, and now you can book your tickets cheaply and easily on BootsnAll.
Twin tragedies have hit the world in the last month. First Christchurch, New Zealand, was hit by an earthquake on February 22. Then Japan got hit with a double-whammy of destruction in the form of an earthquake and tsunami on March 11. As Japan’s tragic story continues to unfold, New Zealand wants to spread the world that it is “back open for business” and ready to welcome tourists again. As often happens, many people who were planning to visit New Zealand canceled their trips after the earthquake. But as the area recovers, tourists (and their money) are needed more than ever.
To help spread the word that New Zealand is ready and waiting for visitors, a grassroots effort called Blog4NZ has been established. On March 21, 22, and 23, bloggers and travel websites will be flooding the internet with positive stories from New Zealand, along with tips for travelers, and photos and videos that showcase the country’s appeal. Look for BootsnAll’s contribution to go live on March 22, follow the #Blog4NZ hashtag on twitter, and check out these other New Zealand travel stories and resources.
As Passports with Purpose comes to a close next week, we’re anxious and excited to see the Build a Village in India “heart” hit the $50,000 goal. It looks like we’re only $5,000 away, and as Passports with Purpose’s Platinum sponsor, BootsnAll is stoked to see the project almost finished. If you haven’t entered yet, you still have about a week to give, and there are a ton of cool prizes up to win too!
This week on BootsnAll
As New Year’s approaches, we’re taking a look at a favorite NYE destination — Las Vegas — with today’s Eat (and Drink!) Your Way Around Las Vegas. Tuesday’s How I Travel is with Dashboard Confessional front man, Chris Carrabba. Later in the week, we’ll check out some extreme travel activities to get your heart pumping, and look at why you should see Vegas in 2011. Still looking for New Year’s Eve travel deals? Check out cheap hotels in Las Vegas and WhyGo Las Vegas’ new guide on How to Visit Vegas on a Budget.
Passports with Purpose aims to raise enough money to build approximately 25 homes to create the Passports Village in Karunganni, located in the state of Tamil Nadu, India.
We are honored, humbled and excited to be Platinum sponsors of 
