It’s always interesting to learn about how a particular charitable organization got its start. For husband and wife team Rebecca and Scott Rothney, their organization Pack for a Purpose grew organically from their shared love of travel and giving back.
During their first trip to Africa, the Rothneys realized that there was plenty of extra space in their luggage, and decided to fill that space with supplies and provisions for the communities they visited from that point forward. “Since then, we and a few of our fellow travelers have made several trips to other countries in Africa and have been able to deliver an estimated 1,000 pounds in donations of clothing, school supplies and medical supplies,” explains Rebecca.
The mission of Pack for a Purpose is to “positively impact communities around the world by assisting travelers who want to bring meaningful contributions to the destinations they visit.” Essentially, Pack for a Purpose encourages those lucky enough to travel the world to give back to the places they travel to, rather than take from them for their own enjoyment. This organization fosters cultural appreciation, but also encourages participants to take on a more active role in being responsible, humanitarian-minded travelers.
“There is need everywhere in the world; however, it is sometimes difficult to identify specific needs in places far from home. We believe people fortunate enough to travel to other countries often wish they could make meaningful contributions to help meet the needs of the places they visit,” says Rebecca of the intention behind starting Pack for a Purpose. “Our goal is to assist travelers who want to expand their generosity beyond their own communities,” she explains.
Pack for a Purpose was founded in 2009, and has already earned may accolades including the 2012 Travel and Leisure Global Vision Award, and the 2014 National Geographic Travelers of the Year honor. Learn more about this fantastic organization and how to get involved by visiting www.packforapurpose.org.