October has been a month of major honors for Pack for Purpose. On October 9th, National Geographic Traveler magazine recognized ten “ordinary travelers doing extraordinary things in their journeys around the world.” Rebecca Rothney, Founder and Chairperson of Pack for a Purpose, was recognized as one of the National Geographic 2014 Travelers of the Year for her outstanding work and dedication in helping international travelers bring needed supplies to community projects in the countries they visit. Receiving this award was incredible news for Pack for a Purpose, as National Geographic Traveler has over 700,000 subscribers to the magazine. The winners are also featured in the online edition of the magazine and we are hopeful this award will inspire many more travelers to start Packing for Purpose.
Three days later on October 12th, Rebecca was also honored as Tar Heel of the Week in the News & Observer, a newspaper published in Raleigh with the circulation of over 168,000 and a readership of over 480,000. This article was very impactful, and as a result, several meaningful contacts have been initiated. Rebecca having been honored as Tar Heel of the Week will greatly increase the outreach, awareness, and mission of Pack for a Purpose, which we trust will encourage others to get involved and spread the word.
Rebecca’s dedicated work and passion for helping others globally is part of what makes Pack for a Purpose a continuing success. The volunteers and interns and the myriad skills and expertise that they bring to the organization are the foundation of the organization’s very existence and accomplishments. Logging over 13,200 volunteer hours since its creation in September of 2009, the Pack for a Purpose team is dedicated to assisting travelers so they can make a Big Impact across the globe!