Philanthropy
Enriching the Lives of Others
WOOD TRAVEL SUPPORTS NON PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS
“A single act of kindness throws out roots in all directions, and the roots spring up and make new trees.”
Ronald McDonald House Charities Alberta
At Wood Travel, we believe in giving back to the communities that support us. For years, we’ve supported local charities through annual fundraisers—a rewarding but difficult process of choosing among many deserving causes.
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To make a deeper and more lasting impact, we've now chosen to focus our efforts on promoting one charity: Ronald McDonald House Charities Alberta. This lets us bring awareness to meaningful support for families in need.
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.
Past Charity Recipients
Kibera Slums,
Nairboi, Kenya
In 2023, Wood Travel donated a portion of every vacation package sold in 2023 to Greencard Mtaani (GCM). After visiting the Kibera slum in Nairobi, Kenya, I was moved at the work being done in the community. Greencard 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.​
The Lethbridge Senior Citizens Organization
In 2022, Wood Travel donated a portion of every vacation package sold to The Lethbridge Senior Citizens Organization of Lethbridge.
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.
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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.
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With vital services such as meals on wheels, home support services, health programs, senior housing and assistance, LSCO is a valued organization locally.
HALO AIR AMBULANCE
In 2020, Wood Travel donated a $4000 Travel Voucher to HALO.
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.
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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.
Law Enforcement Torch Run For Special Olympics Alberta
In 2018, Wood Travel donated a $4000 travel voucher to LETR.
This cause is especially meaningful to me, as I’ve had the privilege of volunteering over several years—coordinating and participating in events such as the Edmonton Cycling Tour, the Polar Plunge, and various other fundraising initiatives.
The Law Enforcement Torch Run® (LETR) is the largest grassroots fundraising and public awareness organization in support of Special Olympics worldwide. In Canada, LETR hosts numerous fundraising and awareness events throughout the year, with strong backing from the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police (CACP). Since becoming a proud partner of Special Olympics Canada in 1987, LETR has played a vital role in promoting inclusion and empowerment through sport.
Among its most recognized events is the Torch Run™, where law enforcement officers carry the Flame of Hope™ into the Opening Ceremonies of local, regional, and national Special Olympics competitions. What began as a single event has grown into a national movement, raising over $72 million across Canada.
For three years, Sandra actively volunteered—cycling, organizing, and promoting fundraisers to support LETR. This organization continues to hold a special place in her heart.
