Hawaii News Now - KGMB and KHNL HomeTourism Cares Makes a Difference in Washington, DC

CANTON, Mass., Sept. 18 /PRNewswire/ -- Although the rain washed away the possibility of holding the inaugural Tourism Cares for America Volunteer Day on Friday, September 11, 2009 in Washington, DC, Tourism Cares and event sponsor Entertainment Cruises were still able to make a significant contribution to the community there. The 250 boxed lunches intended to feed the Tourism Cares volunteers were delivered to Martha's Table, a non-profit organization in DC with a mission to help at-risk children, youth, families and individuals in our community improve their lives by providing educational programs, food, clothing, and enrichment opportunities.

"Although it is unfortunate that the [Volunteer Day] event was canceled due to the unpredictability of Mother Nature, Tourism Cares was still able to contribute to the community", said Demetrios Recachinas, Manager of Food Programs at Martha's Table. "Martha's Table feeds approximately 500 individuals on the street each day and this contribution of 250 boxed lunches went a long way toward fulfilling that need."

September 11 has been recognized by Congress as a national day of service and remembrance, and although the Tourism Cares volunteers were not able to make a physical difference on the National Mall that day, their dedication and contribution to the event helped to serve the community in an alternative way.

"Our purpose that day was to make a difference and do some good. Even though we weren't able to do it in the way we originally intended, we accomplished our goal," said Bruce Beckham, Executive Director of Tourism Cares.

About Tourism Cares

Tourism Cares is a 501(c)(3) non-profit public charity with a mission to preserve the travel experience for future generations. It accomplishes this by mobilizing the travel and tourism industry and travelers alike to give back to society through grants to natural, cultural and historic sites worldwide; through academic and service-learning scholarships for students of hospitality and tourism; and through the organization of volunteer efforts to clean up and restore tourism-related sites in need of care and rejuvenation. For additional information about Tourism Cares, please visit www.tourismcares.org

SOURCE Tourism Cares