“The earth’s a big blue marble/when you see it from out there…” – Big Blue Marble, theme song
When you look back over your life, it is enlightening to realize who and what influenced you to be the person you are today. (The television show whose theme song I quote above is a case in point for me.) The Russell Family is an example of such an inspiration for me – and for many others. Even though the familiy is always busy with work and/or school, they always take time to contribute to their community, be it volunteering or fundraising. Even the business they’ve created gives back.
More than a decade ago, the Russells were approached to create a trip that would benefit a local theatre. They did and it was such a success that they kept designing trips and now take people around the world, all year round with their company Art Events Travel. Many of the trips will have a give-back element, such as their annual Tony Trip which benefits The Fred Stone Seating Project to put new chairs and risers in the Fred Stone Theatre at Rollins College. Some trips just give back naturally, by taking high school students to places they would normally only read about. Being a Mom & Pop operation (literally) they are able to give their trips a special touch and adapt them easily to the needs of their travelers.
Now the Russells have come to me for help in creating Birds of a Feather Tours which are trips catering to the LGBT community (or people who just think the gays are awesome) and I’ll also play host for the trips! Our first trip will be to the United Kingdom to visit my favorite city in the world, London, with a jaunt over to Birmingham to attend Birmingham Pride, one of the biggest gay pride events in the world. I won’t bore you with details here because I have more important things to tell you about, as you’ll see. Go here for the trip details and please note that proceeds will benefit the Orlando Youth Alliance.
The Most Important Contest Ever
So here’s the deal: I want one of you lucky world savers to come with me to jolly ole England! That’s right, you’ll get the trip, valued at more than $3000 for free, if your entry is selected. All you need to do is comment below with your best idea for making the world a better place, then a panel will pick the best idea. Here are a couple of things to keep in mind as you answer:
1) Give us some details to your idea. Don’t just say “recycle” and be done with it. Be creative and give us some insight to your idea. Make us believe it can happen.
2) Be sure your contact information on your profile is correct and complete. If your profile name is “bobtheknob69” and you haven’t given us any real information in your profile, we won’t be able to declare you the winner.
3) The London trip runs from May 25 – 31, 2010. BE SURE you can actually take the trip before entering. Airfare is included from Orlando. Residents of other cities are welcome to enter but are responsible for their own transportation to Orlando to make the flight. The trip is all expenses paid minus lunches, dinners and personal spending. Travel insurance is also recommended.
The contest is over April 5, so put on your freshest thinking cap and get to writing! Who knows, maybe your idea will be something the rest of us can help you with!
