A group of Emmaus clients and team members went on a very special trip to Las Vegas this past April! The trip was made possible by the Friends Foundation, and an opportunity from Southwest Airlines (SWA) called the One Million Acts of Kindness, One Million Dollars of Thanks Campaign.
SWA invited non-profits to submit an application telling about their organization and the great work they do in their community for a chance to win 100 one-way trips (or 50 round trips) airfares. Over 2,500 applications were submitted, but only 50 organizations were chosen.
When the Friends Foundation learned they were a recipient, some Emmaus clients were lucky enough to be selected for one of the trips! The Friends Foundation also committed to a $400 gift to each person going on the trip, which included a companion to ride along with them.
“The Emmaus trip to Las Vegas began with a simple conversation with my daughter Betsy who is an Emmaus client. I first asked her first if I could be her companion if she won a trip. She very firmly told me NO!!! So that detail is out of the way! ☹ I asked her where she would like to go, she threw her arms in the air and said ‘Las Vegas Baby!’ So we jumped on the internet and looked at entertainment in Vegas and it was a toss of between Sting and Barry Manilow. Listened to the music and Barry Manilow won! The trip grew from there adding one friend, then another, and another!” – Sharon Holtmeyer (Mother of Emmaus Client).
