Internova Travel Group initiative assists individuals and
communities struggling with financial hardship both inside and
outside the travel industry
NEW
YORK, July 24, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Family
Bonds Foundation, a charitable initiative of Internova Travel
Group, one of the world's largest travel services companies, has
raised $461,000 to assist people in
need in the travel industry, easily exceeding its 2024 goal of
$150,000.
Founded in 2015 by John Lovell,
President of Travel Leaders Group, part of Internova Travel Group,
the Family Bonds Foundation supports those in the travel industry –
along with their families, their children and their communities –
who are experiencing financial hardships.
"The love and support that comes from Family Bonds is
immeasurable," said travel advisor Brenda
Blacker, whose family received help paying her young
grandson's medical bills. "We are blessed to be part of such a
generous and caring community of advisors."
The fundraising effort received a big boost at Travel Leaders
Network's annual EDGE conference, held in June in National Harbor,
Maryland, where Family Bonds
conducted a silent auction and online raffle. A record number of
prizes were donated by supplier partners, including ocean and river
cruises, land packages, hotel stays and premium airline tickets.
Travel Leaders Network, an Internova Travel Group company, is the
largest network of professional travel agents in North America.
This year, Family Bonds also launched a corporate donor program,
allowing travel agencies and preferred partners to sign on as
sponsors. Sponsorship levels are Diamond, $25,000+; Platinum,
$10,000-$24,999; Gold, $5,000-$9,999;
Silver, $2,500-$4,999; and Bronze, $1,000-$2,499.
Outside Agents, Pavlus Travel and Globus family of brands have
committed to Diamond sponsorships, and Cruise Holidays of
Kansas City and Nexion Travel
Group have joined as Platinum sponsors. Family Bonds has received
commitments at other sponsorship levels as well.
"I am truly humbled by the generosity of our travel advisors,
employees and supplier partners in embracing this charitable
endeavor that does so much for people in our industry," said
Jackie Friedman, Family Bonds
Foundation President. Friedman oversees the Foundation's Board of
Directors and provides strategic direction. "The need is so great
and every donation can help change someone's life."
Friedman is also President of Nexion Travel Group, an Internova
Travel Group company. Nexion Travel Group will hold its Family
Bonds fundraiser — including an online raffle and silent auction —
at the CoNexion conference in New
Orleans in September.
Each year, nominations for assistance from the Family Bonds
Foundation are taken from Internova Travel Group's network of
advisors and preferred partners. The Foundation Board, made up of
travel industry leaders, agency owners and supplier partner and
Internova Travel Group executives, reviews the nominations and
awards grants. So far, more than 200 grants have been distributed
to travel advisors, supplier partners and their local communities,
helping with such expenses as college tuition, medical bills,
daycare or after-school care, school supplies and other basic
necessities.
Everyone in the travel industry is encouraged to help the
foundation identify potential recipients. The next deadline for
nominations is Oct. 15, with the
decision communicated to recipients on Nov.
1. To nominate someone or to make a donation, go to
familybondsfoundation.com.
About Internova Travel Group
Internova Travel
Group is one of the largest travel services companies in the
world with a collection of leading brands delivering high-touch,
personal travel expertise to leisure and corporate clients.
Internova manages leisure, business and franchise firms through a
portfolio of distinctive divisions. Internova represents more than
100,000 travel advisors in over 6,000 company-owned and affiliated
locations predominantly in the United
States, Canada and the
United Kingdom, with a presence in
more than 80 countries.
CONTACT:
Elizabeth
Gaerlan
egaerlan@internova.com
1-212-944-1125
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SOURCE Travel Leaders Group