Provides avenue to brighten the holiday season for children in need
SAN DIEGO, Dec. 7, 2006 — America’s Vacation Center (AVC), one of the leading travel agencies in the nation, today announced that it has established a program for consumers and travel agents to donate thousands of toys to the Toys for Tots Foundation this holiday season.
Last year, Toys for Tots delivered 18.4 million toys to 7.5 million children. With 13 million children living in poverty, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, this year’s need is greater than ever.
AVC, http://www.AmericasVacationCenter.com, will donate one toy for each cruise or vacation package booked through AVC from December 7 to December 20, 2006. AVC also announced that its affiliated professional travel agents can donate any amount of their ‘AVC Rewards’ points to the Toys for Tots Foundation, and AVC will take the monetary value of the points to purchase and donate toys. AVC agents can earn points and rewards for commission revenue, repeat customer bookings, completing training courses, and more.
"We are honored to support the Toys for Tots campaign and to provide consumers and our professional travel agents with the opportunity to give back to the community," said Van Anderson, co-president of AVC. "Our goal through these programs is to improve the holiday season for children in need, and to motivate others to donate to such a noble cause."
"We are beyond excited about America’s Vacation Center’s donation program for Toys for Tots," said Staff Sergeant Timothy R. Williams, one of the coordinators for the Camp Pendleton Toys for Toys program. "It’s great for businesses to give back to their community, especially during the holiday season. We thank America’s Vacation Center and all of the other organizations and people who have chosen to donate to Toys for Tots this year, and we look forward to working with AVC next year."
Consumers interested in booking their next trip with America’s Vacation Center, an American Express Travel Representative, should call 800-753-1463 or visit http://www.AmericasVacationCenter.com. Professional travel agents interested in taking their business to the next level by affiliating with America’s Vacation Center should call 800-521-2597 or visit http://www.JoinAVC.com.
About America’s Vacation Center (AVC):
With more than 40 years of experience and a half-million customers served, America’s Vacation Center(R) (http://www.AmericasVacationCenter.com) is one of the top-producing travel agencies in the American Express Travel Representative Network. AVC is a leading seller of cruises and vacation packages from suppliers such as American Express Vacations, Carnival Cruises, Celebrity Cruises, Crystal Cruises, Holland America Line, Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises, Royal Caribbean and more. With hundreds of independent travel specialists, AVC is America’s Leading Host Agency(TM) (http://www.JoinAVC.com), providing technology, support and Live Leads(TM) to travel agents worldwide.
About the Marine Corps Toys for Tots Foundation:
The Marine Corps Toys for Tots Foundation, an IRS recognized 501(c)(3) not-for-profit, public charity is the authorized fundraising and support organization for the Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program. The Foundation provides the funding and support needed for successful annual toy collection and distribution campaigns. The Foundation is located at Marine Corps Base, Quantico, Virginia. Local Marine Corps Reserve units and volunteer organizations collect and distribute toys in nearly 540 communities covering all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. For more information, visit http://www.toysfortots.org.
Contact:
Ashley Wolf
PR Manager
America’s Vacation Center
760-233-7630 x267
Logo:
http://www.americasvacationcenter.com/images/Logo_AVC_Amex.jpg
