Passports With Purpose

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Passports With Purpose: Everyone Was a Winner!

January 6th, 2010 by bsmith | No Comments | Filed in Legoland, Passports With Purpose

Congratulations to the Passports with Purpose crew who exceeded their fundraising goals. A town in Cambodia will have a new school with a school nurse. The students will have access to better nutrition through their kitchen garden as well. I am in awe of the amazing work of the Passports with Purpose Founders Beth Whitman, Debbie Dubrow, Michelle Duffy and Pam Mandel. What an endeavor! If you did not have a chance to participate in this amazing fundraising event be sure to get involved next year.

The winner of my LEGOLAND adventure turned out to be Jim Benning, one of the founders of World Hum an amazing travel website. After Jim won the prize I paid World Hum a visit. Wow! What amazing insightful travel writing. This is going to be one of my must visit sites in 2010! Jim, if you’re reading this the LEGOLAND tickets are in the mail, and I will be stopping by the Sheraton tommorrow to pick up your prize. I’ve been trying to find a moment when I could bring as few small children as possible. Looks like the best I can get it down to is one crazy five year old. Wish me luck.

Once again, thanks to LEGOLAND California and The Sheraton Resort at Carlsbad. I approached these companies on a whim after I had heard about Passports with Purpose and they were very very generous. The Sheraton has its own private entrance to LEGOLAND, so it’s a great place to stay if you are planning to visit.

I also wanted to give one more plug for a different school building fundraiser that we are doing with our cub scout troop. If you missed out on Passports with Purpose, but still want to have your kids help “change the world” check out Pennies for Peace. It’s a super simple project,. Put out a big jar at your kids, school preschool, cubscout pack, etc. Collect pennies and send them in. All proceeds go to building and outfitting schools in Afghanistan and Pakistan. What a simple and powerful way for your kids to make a difference and give them a wider world view.

Happy Trails,

Bridget

Tags: Carlsbad Sheraton, Legoland, Passports With Purpose, World Hum

Passports With Purpose:Win a Legoland Adventure and Help Build a School in Cambodia

December 8th, 2009 by bsmith | 6 Comments | Filed in Legoland, Passports With Purpose

Passports With Purpose-Every Child Deserves a Great School

A few years ago on a Vegas getaway with my husband, I picked up a life changing book. Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson chronicles Greg’s experience as a mountain climber recovering in a small village in Pakistan. He promises to build a school for the village, and his new mission leads to the building of schools throughout Afganistan and Pakistan. Greg talks a lot in his book about the transformative power of education, and how he believes it will bring peace to the region. He explains that the education of girls can make a major impact on the community since in Afgan and Pakistani culture women tend to stay within the community, while men leave for greater economic opportunity. Mothers in this culture have a strong influence on their children’s decisions including the one to join organizations like the Taliban. Pick up Greg’s book Stones into Schools for someone on your Christmas list.

This year, a group of travel bloggers is coming together for Passports with Purpose a fundraiser to build schools in Cambodia, another part of the world that is desperately in need of educational opportunity for young people. The non-profit American Assistance for Cambodia is dedicated to improving life for the youth and rural poor of Cambodia. For a ten dollar donation to this worthy cause, you receive one entry for one of a large number of great travel blog giveaways from around the world.

Since I think that American Assistance for Cambodia is a fabulous cause, I contacted LEGOLAND California and they generously donated four park hopper passes to this great theme park in Carlsbad, California. These tickets will allow you to check out the kid friendly Sea Life Aquarium and see the amazing models of LEGOLAND. I will also throw in a copy of The Unauthorized Legoland Guidebook so you can be prepared to enjoy every minute of your LEGOLAND adventure. (If the winner is located outside the US, I will provide you with a PDF copy of my guidebook or you can pick up a copy when you reach Carlsbad).

lego-friend

Since you may have quite a journey to get here to sunny Carlsbad, the elegant Sheraton Carlsbad Resort located next to LEGOLAND has generously donated a certificate for a two night stay at their hotel. This beautiful hotel has its own private entrance to LEGOLAND. Be sure to check out the LEGO flower bouqet in the lobby. It was constructed by the talented LEGO Master Builder Gary McIntire.

Sheraton, Carlsbad

This total Legoland Adventure Package is worth more than $700!

Passports With Purpose kicked off last week, and has already collected the $13000 needed to build a school, but there is still work to do. The group is trying to raise an additional $13000 to fund a school nurse, water filter for the school well, and a “victory garden” which will allow the students to have a healthy lunch at school daily.

Click here to make your donation to Passports With Purpose today. A ten dollar donation will give you a great chance at winning the Ultimate Legoland Adventure.