Accent Travel and Cruises, an independent travel agency located in Morehead City, N.C., takes a philanthropic approach to its business. When the agency sells a travel package, it passes on a portion of the proceeds to non-profit organizations, particularly those helping animals.
Accent Travel has decided that Best Friends will be the organization to benefit from it newest travel package. It has also chosen our sanctuary as the primary destination of that package. Also slated to receive a portion of the package’s proceeds are currently three local rescue organizations, and Accent Travel owners Jim and Mary Marks are looking to involve more.
“You’re a national organization, if not international, and attract a lot of attention.” Jim says of Best Friends when asked why he and Mary chose us as destination and beneficiary of Accent Travel. “If we can have local groups partner with you, it’ll make travelers all the more aware of Best Friends and the good work you do.”
The travel package includes seven days and six nights, two days of which will involve volunteering at our sanctuary. The tour begins April 25, 2010 in Las Vegas, moves to Best Friends, and then takes off from there for Bryce Canyon and Zion national parks before heading back to Las Vegas on May 1. The $1,195 price tag for the tour includes motor coach transportation, accommodations, and most meals (but not airfare to or from Las Vegas). Also included in the fee are a membership to Best Friends Animal Society and a donation to whichever local shelter or animal group you sign up through.
For the donation to be made to a local shelter or group, that shelter would need to make the application available either on the organization’s website or in hard copy at their office. If you would like the Markses to consider your organization as one of the beneficiaries of the travel package proceeds, contact Jim at (252) 247-6482 or at jmarks@ec.rr.com.
So far, three animal groups — Encore Pets of Morehead City, N.C.; Lucky Dog Farm of Charlotte, N.C.; and Animal Compassion Network of Asheville, N.C. — have signed up. (Note: your organization need not be located in North Carolina to participate.)
“I’m looking at this as a relaxing and rewarding vacation,” Jim says. “Best Friends is the rewarding part and the rest is relaxing. Only on the days we volunteer at Best Friends do we get up early. We’ve got plenty of time to get from one venue to another.”
At this writing, the Markses have 28 spots available for this tour, though five have already been taken.
To learn more about the trip or to sign up, click here.
Written by Ted Brewer
Photos by Sarah Ause
As part of Best Friends’ 25th anniversary in 2009, our goal is to double our membership, so we can double our efforts to bring about a time when all companion animals have a forever home. What can you do to help? Give the Gift of a Best Friends membership to family and friends.
