Donate Airmiles
Most people think of donating money, goods or
services to a charity, but to donate airmiles cab also be a very
valuable contribution. When you donate airmiles, many charities
are able to accomplish things that they would not normally be
able to do because they couldn't afford to pay for airfare.
What Are Airmiles?
If you are the sort of traveler who flies on a
plane often, the odds are good that you are already familiar with
airmiles, also known as frequent flier miles. Airlines set up
airmiles reward programs in order to encourage people who travel
often to remain loyal to one particular airline. This loyalty
program is typically available to flyers in many different countries
around the world where the airlines operate. Today, travelers can
often redeem airmiles for merchandise or significant discounts.
Travelers also use accumulated airmiles to purchase free airline
tickets to any destination. However, another option is to donate
miles.
How Do You
Donate Airmiles?
If you've accumulated a fair number of airmiles
with a particular airline, then you may want to donate airmiles.
It's a wonderful alternative if you can't afford to donate
financially to your favorite charity. There are a number of
charities across the world that have a need for airmiles, and the
process of donating your extra miles is very simple. The following
is a small sampling of the kind of charities that you can help when
you donate miles, and the ways in which charities make use of that
donation. Wish granting charities, in particular, are in need of
airmiles.
Donate to The Make a Wish
Foundation
The Make-a-Wish Foundation is a magical charity
that grants wishes to thousands of kids, every year, who are
suffering from life-threatening illness. The first wish ever granted
by the organization was offering one little boy the opportunity to
experience being a police officer. Since then, the organization has
granted over 100,000 wishes, and continues to grant a wish every
forty minutes. This amazing task is accomplished through the
generous donations of sponsors and individuals around the country.
One of the ways that supporters of the Make-a-Wish Foundation can
help is by providing the Foundation with airmiles that can help the
organization grant travel wishes. Each year, the Make-a-Wish
Foundation requires over 2.5 billion airmiles to accomplish what it
needs to do to grant every travel-related wish, and every single air
mile that you can donate to the Foundation brings it one air mile
closer to granting another small child's travel wish.
Operation Hero Miles
On October 28, 2004, President George W. Bush
signed the 2005 Defense Appropriations Bill, which included a
section titled "Operation Hero Miles." That section was created as
part of the bill by Congressman C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger in an
effort to help people donate airmiles to the troops stationed
overseas so that they can get back home for free whenever they are
on leave. Not only does it help troops get home, but it also helps
families fly to military hospitals when on of their loved ones is
wounded in battle.
The amazing thing about the program is that sometimes airlines will
go above and beyond in their support of the program by matching air
mile donations. For example, during Memorial Day in 2007, airlines
matched all donations - meaning if someone donated 300 airmiles, the
airline would match that for a total donation of 600 airmiles. The
Fisher House Foundation manages the donation process, and donating
is very easy. All you need to do is visit the Hero Miles donation
page, scroll down to the airline you use, and follow the
instructions on the page to donate miles.
Donate to Salvation Army
The Salvation Army also accepts Airmile donations
that can help the organization assist families and individuals in
times of crisis and need. Often, Salvation Army volunteers need to
travel quickly during times of crisis in order to help people in
affected areas of the country. When you donate airmiles to the
Salvation Army, you're ensuring that when disaster strikes and aid
is needed, the Salvation Army will be ready and able to help.
This program is only currently offered through United Airlines, and
United travelers can automatically set up their "Mileage Plus"
account in order to accumulate airmiles. When airmiles reach at
least 1,000 miles, frequent flyers can call United and request to
donate miles to the Salvation Army.
Children's Cancer Association
Another great organization to donate your
airmiles to is the Children's Cancer Association. Much like
Make-a-Wish, the CCA grants wishes to children who are suffering
from terminal cancer so that they can enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime
wish for something that they've always wanted to do or visit a place
in the world that they've always wanted to go. It would be a
tremendous feeling to know that you've contributed to fulfilling the
simple wish of a terminally ill child. The organization has a
constant need for airmiles in order to support their efforts and to
grant wishes, so donate your airmiles generously for this excellent
cause.
Other Ways to Donate Miles
Specific airlines offer special web pages where
you can review the air mile donation causes they support, such as
United, Northwest, American Airlines, Delta, Midwest, and
Continental Airlines. Keep in mind that the IRS considers airmiles
as a form of a "gift", so when you donate miles, it's usually not
tax deductible. Regardless, donating your saved airmiles is one of
the easiest and most convenient ways for many travelers to help
support their favorite charities.
If you’d like to donate to the Food For Life Planting Foundation
please send an email to
donate@fflpf.org.
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