Most of my travels have been fun-filled and exciting. Unfortunately, that is not the case for everyone. There is one trip that serves as a constant reminder of those less fortunate, and the importance of giving back.
On my flight to Pittsburgh, it was clear when the family took their seats next to me that they were not experienced travelers. Their clothes reflected their needy circumstances. Only the father spoke English, and his four-year-old son seemed to be in constant pain. When the flight attendant insisted that the young boy sit in a seat by himself for take-off, he could barely hold himself up. I befriended the father and tried to help as much as possible. It was then that I learned that they were on a trip sponsored by the Make-A-Wish Foundation. The parents did not know how long their son would be with them, but they were so appreciative of this trip to fulfill their terminally ill son’s wishes. I will never forget the face of that young boy, and it serves as a constant reminder of the importance of giving back. It is for this reason that my business will make a contribution from every trip booked to the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
A second contribution from each trip will be made to Stand Up To Cancer in honor of my father and two brothers, who overcame insurmountable odds to become cancer survivors. Numerous flights to my home state of Ohio permitted me to care for family members in their pain and to share in the joy of their victories.
The travel industry has allowed me to share many special moments with family members, including my father’s dream to golf at St. Andrews in Scotland, one of his proudest moments. My mother's love for travel was infectious. I treasure the memories of our many trips together, from pilgrimages to Lourdes and Fatima, having tea at the Jamaica Inn in Cornwall, tracking down Tchaikovsky’s country home near Moscow as well as W. B. Yeats’ grave in the Irish countryside, to crossing the choppy waters of the Straits of Gibraltar to become acquainted with the culture of Morocco. My parents taught all our family members to always give back, and it is in memory of them that I continue this tradition through my business.
Thank you to my clients who make these donations possible.
Melanie Franko
