Giving
Telluride Adaptive Sports Program (TASP)
During the course of my Travel Fun interviews, I’ve become acquainted with some organizations that make travel better—or even possible—for a lot of people I encourage you to support their efforts by supporting them in whatever way you can. Here’s a short list of some of my favorite travel do-gooders and a glimpse at my relationship to them.
Telluride Adaptive Sports Program (TASP)
Ever since I became involved with Telluride Ski Resort, I’ve had a chance to see up close the work done by TASP. Trained ski and snowboard instructors and volunteers work tirelessly to make sure that all kinds of people—no matter what their physical or mental challenges—can also enjoy the thrill of whizzing down the slopes.
Hawkey Atop the Divide
Michael Johnson, a.k.a Hawkeye, is one of the most dedicated volunteers at TASP. He was my guest twice on Travel Fun to talk about his 3,000-mile trek along the Continental Divide, a five-month journey that raised some much-needed funds for TASP. Know also that with the war in Iraq there are more and more wounded warriors. TASP arranges for many of these people to come to Telluride with their families for a good dose of fun and recreation.
Crested Butte: One of the Trust's Dozen Distinctive Destinations for 2008
National Trust for Historic Preservation
“We do the best to preserve the best of America’s heritage,” says Richard Moe, president of the National Trust for Historic Preservation who also came on my radio show twice. Historic, cultural tourism is bigger than ever and we have the Trust to thank for preserving and spotlighting most of America’s treasures. This entirely privately funded organization works toward the betterment of the world’s most precious resources, whether manmade or natural. You can support the Trust by becoming a member; this entitles you to special discounts and a subscription to Preservation, their magazine.
J. Swimming with a Loggerhead
Ocean Conservancy
I recently interviewed Wallace “J.” Nichols on Travel Fun and was truly taken by his dedication to marine life and the preservation of sea turtles in particular. J., a marine bioligist/activist, now works toward connecting people with sea turtles. He is very much involved with See Turtles, a tourism campaign within Ocean Conservancy, that promotes visits to certain sea turtle colonies in order to improve the conservation of these lumbering sea creatures and the communities where they are found. To me, these See Turtle trips sound fascinating.
Stephen Allen Seizing the World
Seize the World
Telluride is filled with adventuresome types, but mega journeys such as cycling around the world become even more daunting when you’re faced with the challenge of living with epilepsy. Such is the case for Tellurider Stephen Allen who set out this fall on his around-the-world bike tour to raise awareness about epilepsy and to show that people who live in the shadow of epileptic seizures can still enjoy super active lives. Stephen, who was a guest on Travel Fun just before embarking upon his tour, has lived with epilepsy for almost ten years. Still he defies any unwelcome interference this neurological disorder might inflict on his life. ”I just have to eat right and get a good amount of sleep and it’s manageable,” he says. Let’s all wish him well on his Seize the World travels!
And don’t forget KOTO, our NPR station here in Telluride, one of the few entirely community supported radio stations in the country. Please consider making a contribution to KOTO so that we can keep community radio alive and well in America. That’s also a way of showing your support for Travel Fun!
