Global Connections Florida Office Raises Funds for Charity

Published December 1, 2009

The staff of Global Connections, Inc. (GCI) one of the nation’s most respected travel clubs, has generously helped its local SPCA by raising money for abused and neglected animals in their area.

Employees from Global’s Clearwater, Florida office entered the 5th annual SPCA (Society for the Prevention & Cruelty to Animals) Bowl-A-Thon to raise money, registering as the Beso Del Sol team, representing Global Connection’s new resort in Dunedin, Florida.

 Participants included Heather Love, Nirce Barbaro, Marcia McGinley, Ron Parham and Kelli Brazier.  The team grew from five to twelve members as friends and supporters joined in the day-long bowling event.

The Global Connections team exceeded their initial goal of $1,000, raising nearly $1,300, which landed them in third place for overall donations. Their winnings included a trophy and a gift basket filled to the brim with gift certificates to various local restaurants and businesses along with dog toys, which were donated back to the SPCA. The SPCA was formed 65 years ago and does not receive any State or Federal tax dollars.

Added Kelli Brazier, Member Fulfillment Manager, “We've all been instrumental in finding homes for unwanted and rescue animals for years and decided this would be the ideal opportunity to raise money for a cause dear to our hearts, while also working together as a team. It was incredible to see how many people really care.  A sincere thank you is extended to each of our sponsors!”

Employees of GCI in Overland Park, Kansas also recently helped to raise over $40,000 to benefit Quest to Walk, an exercise-based spinal cord injury recovery center founded by one of its employees.

As a leader in the growing travel industry, the 21-year old Global Connections provides its 125,000 members with a host of benefits and vacationing options to more than 700 resorts located from the Midwest to the Caribbean. GCI is the owner and developer of five resorts in California, Colorado, Florida and Tennessee and also owns multiple resort condominium units in Florida, Hawaii, Missouri, Nevada, South Carolina, Texas and Wisconsin. Partner alliances with exchange and cruise organizations, along with owned and leased properties provide on-demand locations in popular vacation destinations around the world for the company’s expanding member base. The company’s 28 sales centers are located in 20 states and are distributors of its travel club product, Global Discovery Vacations. For additional information, contact Melanie Gring at 561-417-7559 or mgring@gcitravel.net

PHOTO IDs: Left to right

Global Connections employees: Kelli Brazier, Marcia McGinley, Nirce Barbaro, and Heather Love.