TORONTO — The Travel Agent Next Door’s second annual 9-week FIT TRIP fitness challenge campaign raised thousands of dollars for the charity Pencils for Kids, to help fund the construction of a new school in Niger.
TTAND’s partner travel agents raised $6,980, and TTAND topped that amount up to $10,000 – enough to fund half the cost of building the school, says TTAND Founder, Flemming Friisdahl.
“I am very excited that we were able to run this program again this year with the amazing support of our suppliers,” said Friisdahl. “We have been able to support Pencils for Kids again with the generous support of our partner agents to the tune of $10,000 – which is just amazing, especially since these are very tough times for all of us. Their kind generosity will help build a school for young kids in Niger.”
More than 260 TTAND partner agents took part in the FIT TRIP fitness challenge, completing up to 50 different fitness activities. More than 12,220 entries were made recording 771,180 minutes of combined exercise by all participants.
Robin Mednick, President & Executive Director, Pencils for Kids, sent this message of thanks to TTAND and all its partner agents who participated…
“I am having difficulty finding the right words to thank TTAND and every single agent for helping us fund a kindergarten in Libore, Niger – a kindergarten that will provide a secure and safe space for the smallest children to comfortably learn,” said Mednick.
“Your tremendous generosity, in the face of your own challenges this past year, speaks volumes about who you are and what you stand for. When this TTAND-sponsored kindergarten is constructed in the coming months it will be built in memory of the 20 children who perished in a fire in April, in a straw kindergarten in Niamey, Niger. It will be built with your love, your strength, your passion, and your kindness.
“On behalf of Pencils for Kids and the whole community of Libore, Niger, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts.”
The following TTAND suppliers donated a total of 36 prizes including 7-night stays, cruises, tours, flights and vouchers: AMResorts, WestJet, Celebrity, NCL, Star Clippers, Just You, Air Canada, TravelBrands, Collette and RCI.
