In 2008, Contiki launched a staff volunteer program where individuals in our teams around the world, can spend up to 2 work days per year volunteering for a charity of their choice in their local community.

The team has chipped in to help non-profit groups as diverse as the Surf Rider Foundation, Barnardos and London’s National Trust. The guys love getting out for the day, meeting new people and giving something back. We also do team-based charity work in some of our offices, like with Ronald McDonald House in Australia.

Here’s a first-hand account from some of the team about their experiences...

Ashleigh Campbell

Ashleigh and the team in Australia

What do you do at Contiki?

Reservations Supervisor Australia.

Have you ever volunteered before?

No, this was the first time I have volunteered.

Where did you volunteer?

The Sydney Children’s Hospital Foundation.

What was your motivation for volunteering?

I have always wanted to do volunteer work, but being at work 5 days a week it makes it very difficult. I really like that we are given two days off a year from the company to volunteer.

What was the hardest part?

Hearing stories from the families about how long their children have been sick for and how often they are in and out of hospital.

What was the best part?

Seeing the children open their Christmas presents provided by the Foundation and us.

Would you do it again?

Definitely!

Jessica Ferrington

Jessica is third from left

What do you do at Contiki?

Reservations Team, Australia.

Have you ever volunteered before?

No.

Where did you volunteer?

Ronald McDonald House, Sydney.

What was your motivation for volunteering?

I believe it is the little things in life which make a big difference and I love lending a hand.

What was the hardest part?

Talking with the parents and getting a true understanding on what they have had to go through with their children.

What was the best part?

Handing out the Christmas gifts to all the children and seeing the smiles on their faces.

Would you do it again?

Most definitely, it was a real eye opener on how fortunate I am and how my time and small efforts are greatly appreciated.

Michelle Murray

Michelle Murray

What do you do at Contiki?

Director of Sales and Marketing, USA.

Have you ever volunteered before?

Yes.

Where did you volunteer?

Orange County Humane Society, California.

What was your motivation for volunteering?

I have a soft spot in my heart for animals.

What was the hardest part?

Finding the time.

What was the best part?

Seeing pets get adopted into loving homes.

Would you do it again?

Yes, I volunteer throughout the year.

Monica Mason

Monica and the team in Canada

What do you do at Contiki?

Sales & Marketing Project Specialist, Canada.

Have you ever volunteered before?

Yes.

Where did you volunteer?

Daily Bread Food Bank, Toronto (serves meals to those struggling with hunger).

What was your motivation for volunteering?

Help those in need and work with my fellow team.

What was the hardest part?

It’s hard work – lifting heavy stuff and getting very dirty and creating a food sorting challenge.  We sort food in teams who are competing against each other. Who can sort the heaviest weight of food in the quickest time period.

What was the best part?

The end results – it’s rewarding to see how much food we’ve prepared for those in need.

Would you do it again?

For sure. I’ve done it every year since 2008.

Grand Canyon clean-up project

The team at the Grand Canyon clean up

For the last couple of years, around 20 employees from our US office have worked on a project to clean up the Grand Canyon with Tourism Cares (another non-profit who arranges volunteer efforts to restore tourism-related sites). The park’s native plant communities are affected by construction projects, visitors and the invasion of non-native plant species.

Brooke and John were 2 of this projects volunteers. Here’s what they had to say about the effort...

Brooke Scheer

Brooke (left) hard at work in the Grand Canyon

What do you do at Contiki?

Inside Sales Agent, USA.

Have you ever volunteered before?

I have done plenty of volunteer activities, though none before this one that included travel.

Where did you volunteer?

I have volunteered at hospitals, women’s homes, homeless shelters, elementary schools, and environmental cleanup projects at the beaches.

What was your motivation for volunteering?

Personally, I find it unbelievably rewarding. It feels so self-fulfilling to volunteer and make a positive difference in someone else’s life as well as a community.

What was the hardest part?

The hardest part is seeing others that do not have it as easy as I do. It is a rude awakening to see just how tough some people have it out there but so incredibly enlightening to see how those people prevail even through the hardest of situations. I am always reminded of just how fortunate I am even with my own adversities that I deal with from time to time.

What was the best part?

Feeling a sense of self-worth knowing that I made some kind of impact on someone’s life for a day as far as general volunteer work goes.

Would you do it again?

In a heartbeat!

John Navarro

John in action at the Grand Canyon clean up day

What do you/did you do at Contiki?

Operations Coordinator, USA.

Have you ever volunteered before?

Yes, but it’s been a few years (unfortunately)!

Where did you volunteer?

I used to volunteer twice a week at an after school program for 1st and 2nd graders, helping with homework and other activities.

What was your motivation for volunteering?

To give back in some way. I’ve always had the desire to do more volunteer work, but I think like most people, you just get caught up with life. I think it’s great that the Travel Corporation set up the Grand Canyon Clean-up Project. I don’t know if that’s something I would’ve ever taken the time to coordinate on my own.

What was the hardest part?

There weren’t a lot of negatives at all. It was a great learning experience. It sounds a bit cliché, but leaving was probably the hardest part!

What was the best part?

Working together with co-workers and new friends with a common goal. It’s very fulfilling to know you helped contribute to a cause bigger than just you. Hopefully, I can go back to the Grand Canyon in a few years and see all of the plants and bushes we planted, fully grown!

Would you do it again?

Without a second thought.

New Zealand North Coast clean-up project

In April, our staff from Auckland participated in a coastal cleanup event organized and co-ordinated by Sustainable Coastlines. The 3 day event saw our team, along with other volunteers, help clear 42,000 items (16,000 litres worth or 3.5 tonnes) of waste and rubbish from the beaches of Auckland’s North Shore! We also provided sponsorship to help with operational costs for the event.

Tony Laskey

Tony (centre) and the NZ team

What do you/did you do at Contiki?

General Manager, New Zealand.

Have you ever volunteered before?

Yes, we’ve been volunteering for the last few years as a part of Contiki’s NZ’s commitment to our local community.

Where did you volunteer?

This year we headed half an hour north of Auckland City to the Okura Bush Walkway and Karepiro Bay to participate in a coastal clean.

What was your motivation for volunteering?

I believe that we live in a pretty special place (New Zealand), so I want to do everything I can to help preserve it for future generations and put our best foot forward for those who visit.

What was the hardest part?

Definitely the hike back out with the full bags of rubbish!

What was the best part?

The feeling that we had done something of value for our community and seeing firsthand how items dropped in a city street found their way into the stormwater and onto our beaches.

Would you do it again?

Absolutely! Looking forward to the next coastal clean.