I receive frequent emails from OAT travelers each week. And sometimes, I find an email in my inbox that I can’t help but share with other travelers. Here, Susan B.—an 8-time traveler from San Antonio, Texas—explains why she gave her jacket from a recent Antarctica adventure to a very deserving group.
It’s stories like these that remind me that even a small act of kindness can go a very long way, and just how generous our travelers are. Since 1992, Grand Circle Foundation has helped us reach out and connect with communities around the world—including in our own backyards. When OAT travelers are enriched by their discoveries with us, they also help to enrich the lives of the incredible people they meet along the way. And many travelers are so inspired by the Foundation sites they visit, they’re compelled to help in their own personal ways upon returning home.
I hope that Susan’s story may inspire you to spread a little warmth to someone in your own life—whether they’re far away or closer to home.
I wanted to share a couple of photos of me and some of the staff members at my local food bank in San Antonio. I decided that since I didn’t have a great use for the jacket that OAT sent to me for my Antarctica’s White Wilderness trip upon my return, I would donate it to the San Antonio Food Bank.
The staff at the food bank does an amazing job every day of the week. They have a tremendously large warehouse, and a freezer that feels like the Arctic, so I decided I would donate this jacket so employees who work in the freezer (moving pallets of frozen foods) could benefit from its protection. They were so grateful when I presented them with this gift—and they plan to put the San Antonio Food Bank logo (also in red and black) on the jacket below the existing OAT logo.
After hearing my story, I hope that other travelers who may have these jackets hanging in their closets—and may not plan to wear them again—may consider donating them to deserving charities.
Susan shows off her donated jacket, as she stands with Brook and another staff member from the San Antonio Food Bank.
Susan presents her Antarctica jacket to Brook, manager of the San Antonio Food Bank freezer.
Susan B.
8-time traveler & Vacation Ambassador
San Antonio, Texas
Susan, what a wonderful story of giving! Thank you for sharing it with me, and your fellow travelers. I, too, hope that your story may encourage others to give back to the world we travel—not just in distant destinations, but close to home, too.