The Marker’s Club

The Markers Club was founded in 2005, whose theme was basically a Destination Club for Golfers. It became successful, due to the many famous golfers who became members, as well as because of the many properties it owns on or near famous golf courses throughout the United States. In addition, The Marker’s Club sponsors philanthropic events that benefit multiple foundations and charities.

Most recently, The Marker's Club is partnering with the Forever Young Foundation to become a major sponsor of the Steve Young/Jerry Rice Bay Area Classic held on Wednesday, October 21st 2009 at The Cordevalle Golf Club in San Martin, California. Funds raised by the event will go to benefit the Forever Young Foundation. This Foundation was established in 1993 to support community projects and non-profit organizations effectively serving the therapeutic and academic needs of seriously ill and underprivileged children.

The Club has also announced a partnership with the Phoenix Children’s Hospital to become a sponsor for the 11th Annual Phoenix Children’s Hospital Golf Tournament. Held on Friday November 20th at the McCormack Ranch Golf Club, this annual golf tournament has become one of the premier charity golf tournaments in Arizona. Over the past ten years, the tournament has raised more than 2.3 million in funding to support the medical care provided at the Hospital.

The Society of Leisure Enthusiasts

The Society is a top vacation home and villa rental company, with over 5,000 luxurious homes available throughout the world.

With a commitment to social responsibility, the Society's philanthropic component, VacationHomesForCharity.org, has raised over $150,000 to date. VacationHomesforCharity.org has provided a vehicle for vacation home owners, resorts, and property managers to convert unused nights into fundraising capital for participating charities and non-profits. The Society encourages all vacation home owners to give a week at their homes and then works closely with charities to help them raise money for their respective cause.

The donations range from exotic retreats like Casa Ramon in Costa Rica, to ski-in/ski-out mountain homes in Telluride, to villas like Villa Solymar in Akumal, Mexico.

Charitable and non-profit organizations benefiting include: children’s literacy, animal shelters, safe houses, as well as cancer care assistance and research.

Abercrombie & Kent Residence Club

It has been well known that Abercrombie & Kent has a major philanthropic component to their programs – those programs where the A&K resdidences Club members can and do participate. Recently, they have launched a new non-profit website, www.akphilathropy.org.

A&K Vice Chairman Jorie Butler Kent guides the A&K philanthropic programs. “As travel increasingly becomes about the things money cannot buy – shared experiences and treasured memories – more and more of our guests want to make a personal connection and a positive contribution to the places they visit,” she says. “We hope to use this new web site to multiply the impact of what our guests have started.”

Guests and residence club members, traveling on many of A&K’s small group escorted journeys, private Signature itineraries or tailor made programs can visit projects in person, learning more about their destination through the work of its most dedicated people. Examples include:

Friends of Conservation – Masai Mara, Kenya

AKP and guests have helped to plant more than 250,000 trees in the Greater Mara region.

Deepalaya School – New Delhi, India

AKP has helped to educate 50 children this year, providing tuition, books, uniforms and a daily meal.

Sam's Brothers Clean Water Project – Siem Reap, Cambodia

Support from AKP has dug more than 300 wells, supplying clean, bacteria-free water to more than 6,000 people.

Bwindi Community Hospital – Buhoma, Uganda

Support from AKP helps Bwindi Hospital provides anti-retroviral treatment to prevent the transmission of HIV from mother to child.

For those interested in a more in-depth philanthropic experience, AKP has designed journeys focused on conservation – both cultural and ecological – and on humanitarian relief efforts:

• Enrichment Through Service in Southern Africa (October 4-12, 2009)
• Conservation Consciousness in the Galapagos (Oct 22 – Nov 1, 2009)
• Fighting Climate Change in Antarctica (December 7-20, 2009)
• Kilimanjaro: To the Summit on a Mission (December 28, 2009 – January 8, 2010)
• East Africa Conservation Safari (January 9-19, 2010)

Guests who want to give a tax-deductible donation can do this directly through the secure AKP web site. 100% of all donations go directly to the chosen project.