Collette Vacations, a U.S.-based tour operator, has launched a global humanitarian effort known as the Collette Foundation, to improve the lives of children worldwide, including China.
Collette president and CEO Daniel J. Sullivan, Jr., says, "Traveling has shown me what beautiful places exist all over the world but, at the same time, it has revealed the challenges and poor living conditions that many people, especially children, must endure everyday. It is our hope that the Collette Foundation will inspire others in our industry to do what they can to help make a difference. "
The Foundation will donate US$2 million, supplies and manpower to establish and manage projects over the next five years in China, Australia, Costa Rica, Ireland, Italy, Kenya, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, South Africa and the United States. For China, the program will help at the New Hope Foster Home in Beijing, where orphans receive surgery and medical care.
More than 25 percent of Collette's nearly 600 worldwide employees have volunteered to participate on projects. Each project has its own task force to identify and manage programs, collaborate with foreign organizations, and allocate funding. The Foundation has also invited Collette's travel partners and vendors to participate.
Even Collette's customers will have a chance to experience the Foundation's work. During their travels, customers will have the opportunity to visit program sites supported by the Collette Foundation.
