Philanthropy
At Wood Travel, we believe that travel is about more than just seeing new places—it’s about creating connections, enriching lives, and making a positive impact wherever we go. That’s why, every year, we dedicate a portion of our resources to supporting local charities and community initiatives. We dedicate our time to causes we believe align with these initiatives. We understand that the communities we serve are at the heart of our success, and giving back is our way of showing gratitude and solidarity. By contributing to causes that uplift our neighbours, we help create a ripple effect of kindness and opportunity. Your travels with us don’t just take you to breathtaking destinations; they help bring hope and change to those in need right here at home.
Every year, Wood Travel would reach out locally to allow charities to benefit from our yearly fundraisers. This process was deeply rewarding, but it was also time-consuming and challenging, as we had to sift through numerous applications and choose which causes to support. I found myself constantly grappling with the difficult decision of who to include and who to leave out, knowing that each charity we couldn't support still represented a worthy and important cause. To make a more lasting impact and streamline our efforts, I decided to focus on one permanent charity: Ronald McDonald House Charities Alberta. This change allows us to build a deeper, more meaningful relationship with our benefactor and ensures our support is consistent and impactful. It’s a decision rooted in our commitment to give with purpose and make a real difference, knowing that the support we provide can help sustain and grow the important work of our chosen partner, while greatly benefiting locals in our community during their time of need.
PERMANENT CHARITY
WOOD TRAVEL SUPPORTS NON PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS
Ronald McDonald House Charities Alberta
Wood Travel supports the initiatives of RMHC by donating a portion of all-inclusive vacation package bookings from 2024 forward to this worthwhile charity.
With almost 70% of Canadian families living outside of a community with a children’s hospital, many will need to travel to access specialized medical treatment. Serving more than 1,100 families with over 21,000 nights of comfort in 2022, the four Ronald McDonald Houses in Alberta provide all the essentials of a home: warm beds, hot showers, laundry facilities, family-friendly kitchens, and playrooms. We also offer Home for Dinner meals, shuttle services, recreation and self-care programming, and more, saving families over six million dollars each year. The Houses provide more than a place to rest— they’re where families can support each other while staying close to the critical care their child needs. Having a Ronald McDonald House close to a hospital in Alberta is an important part of family-centred care, helping alleviate the tremendous emotional, financial, and physical burdens families face when their child is seriously sick or injured.
2023
Greencard Mtaani
Kibera, Nairboi, Kenya
Wood Travel is proud to announce that we will be donating a portion of every vacation package sold in 2023 to Greencard Mtaani (GCM). After recently visiting the Kibera slum in Nairobi, Kenya, I was moved at the work being done in the community. GMC is a non-partisan, non-religious, and a non-discriminating social change vessel, registered in 2011 as a Community Based Organization. Its aim is to nurture, educate, protect and empower children, youths and women through sports and art for social change in Kibera.
THEIR OBJECTIVE:
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Education - By Use of Sports to reach out to Fight Drugs /Crime by Supporting and connect orphaned/needy Children to sponsors for School fees, Scholastic materials Medical support
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Youth/Women Empowerment, Offer Skillful Empowerment trainings /Opportunities to women and Youth to generate income, form Groups for economic growth through Groups Savings and Loan.
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Child Protection – Work with relevant authorities to create a safe and friendly environment for our children through Sports and workshops to create awareness on Children Rights and also do Referrals.
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HEALTH – Working with and under the Ministry of Health /CHVs, and local organizations to create awareness, Helping the locals on economic recovery and also creation Awareness on the dangers of the Pandemic.
OTHER ACTIVITIES -
-Greencard FC, A Soccer club for both gender age of 6-18 years as a way of reaching out to children.
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Crop Care – COVID 19 Economic Recovery program for women in Small Grocery Business
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- Saturday Mentorship Sessions -for children and youth every Saturday for Bible classes, Read Aloud Sessions, reproductive health, Behaviour Change, Art work Girl Child Empowerment and life skills.
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-Volunteers/Interns – We host National and International interns to work and volunteer to the programs
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ZURI PAD BANK- A Girl child program that supports needy girls through mentorship and sanitary towels
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Tunza – Covid response A Nutrition/ feeding program for Pregnant/ Lactating Women, disabled, Elderly and the Very needy persons and Families
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-Clothes give out –Support and Issue Christmas Gift to the needy with Cloths / Food
2022
The Lethbridge Senior Citizens Organization
The concept of a “service to seniors by seniors” was introduced to Lethbridge in 1974. The Organization has expanded and grown and has become one of the largest seniors organizations in Canada.
Established as a Society in July 1975 as a multipurpose 56,200 square foot senior centre located in the heart of the city. It is designed to be the community focal point on aging where older persons as individuals or in groups can come together for services, activities and sociability.
With vital services such as meals on wheels, home support services, health programs, senior housing and assistance, LSCO is a valued organization locally.
2019-2020
HALO AIR AMBULANCE
HALO responds to a variety of calls for service, including; emergency medical scene calls, critical care inter-facility patient transfers, fire department, law enforcement, and search and rescue incidents, as well as all-hazard disaster responses.
HALO receives less than 50% of their entire operating budget from the Government of Alberta. HALO relies on the kindness and generosity of community-minded individuals, responsible small business and corporate partners, and leading regional municipalities.
The remoteness of the region, the lack of established landing strips, and the limited availability of other emergency air ambulance helicopters was the inspiration for HALO Air Ambulance to dream of the day when we would have an air ambulance helicopter dedicated to Southern Alberta.
Wood Travel is excited to announce the early bird draw in support of HALO for a $4000.00 travel voucher has gone to Abe and Susana!
2018
Law Enforcement Torch Run For Special Olympics Alberta
October 29, 2018
Congratulations to Iris as the lucky winner of a travel voucher, as awarded at the Law Enforcement Torch Run, for Special Olympics fundraising event in Lethbridge, AB!
This cause is close to my heart as I volunteered many times coordinating and participating in events such as the Edmonton cycling tour, polar plunge, and other fundraising events
The Law Enforcement Torch Run® (LETR) is the largest public awareness and grassroots fundraising organization for Special Olympics globally. The LETR hold a number of year-round fundraising and awareness events in communities across Canada. The LETR are supported by the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police (CACP), and have been an active partner of Special Olympics Canada since 1987.
The Torch Run™ is the most well-known event that the LETR host. The Torch Run is an event in which officers run the Flame of Hope™ into an Opening Ceremony at local, regional and national competitions. Grown to include a wide range of regional and national events, the LETR have raised more than $ 72 million in Canada, since its inception.
Sandra volunteered for three years, cycling and promoting fundraisers to raise funds for LETR. This charity remains close to her heart.