Drugs remain one of society’s most dangerous challenges. Every day, children and teenagers experiment with and become dependent on illegal substances. According to the 2009 Monitoring the Future Survey, funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse, 19.9 percent of eighth-graders reported lifetime drug use, and that figure more than doubled to 46.7 percent among twelfth-graders. More than 5 percent of high school seniors reported daily, habitual marijuana use, highlighting the urgent need for prevention and support.
Actor Terrence Howard is committed to preventing drug misuse among young people. Best known for roles in Hustle & Flow, Crash and Iron Man, Howard became involved with The Mentor Foundation in 2008 to support its mission to protect youth from the harms of drug misuse.
“Drugs have become one of the most treacherous of all the hurdles placed before mankind,” Howard said. “The Mentor Foundation believes in a sense of personal responsibility. They demonstrate love by delivering our sons and daughters out of the hands of the debilitating effects of drug abuse. Mentor encourages us all to believe that we can overcome any obstacle and that we are all accountable to each other.”
Terrence Howard is doing his part—and now you can help too. Beginning March 1, Global Traveler will host an online charity auction with 100 percent of the proceeds benefiting The Mentor Foundation. The charity envisions “a world that provides opportunities for the healthy development of children and youth free from the harm caused by drug misuse,” and its work has been recognized by organizations such as the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and the World Health Organization.
Picture the innocent face of a child and imagine that same face 15 years later, affected by drug addiction. Supporting The Mentor Foundation helps protect that future while also offering you the chance to fulfill travel dreams. Below is the list of prizes available in this year’s auction. Visit the auction site for rules, bidding instructions and the most current item listings. Bidding ends May 31.
In the words of Terrence Howard: “Lend a hand; the world-wide family is counting on you.”
1 Two round-trip economy-class tickets on Air Pacific
2 Two round-trip business-class tickets on Alitalia to Italy
3 Two-night stay in a deluxe king room at the Amalfi Hotel Chicago
4 Two round-trip business-class tickets on American Airlines
5 Two-night weekend stay in an Andaz deluxe king room at the Andaz Fifth Avenue
6 Three-night weekend stay in an Andaz deluxe room at the Andaz Wall Street
7 Two round-trip business-class tickets on Asiana Airlines from Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, Seattle or Chicago
8 Two round-trip economy-class tickets on Avianca Airlines to Colombia
9 Four round-trip business-class tickets on British Airways to London
10 A Chopard Classic Collection watch
11 Three-night stay in deluxe accommodations at the Conrad Chicago
12 One-night Friday or Saturday stay in deluxe accommodations at the Conrad Chicago
13 Three-night stay in a deluxe room at the Conrad Hong Kong
14 One annual Delta Air Lines Delta Sky Club membership
15 Two round-trip economy-class tickets on EL AL from New York, Los Angeles or Toronto to Israel
16 Overnight accommodations in an Elysian executive suite at the Elysian Hotel Chicago with in-suite breakfast for two
17 Two round-trip business-class tickets on Emirates from New York, Houston, Los Angeles or San Francisco to Dubai
18 A Jacob & Co. Standard Collection watch
19 Two-night stay in an Essex king room at the Jumeirah Essex House New York
20 Three-night stay in deluxe accommodations at the Four Seasons Resort Nevis
21 Three-night stay in a grand guestroom at The Grand Del Mar in San Diego
22 Two-night stay in a king or double room at the Hotel 57 in New York City
23 Three-night stay in a Superior Harbourview room at the InterContinental Hong Kong
24 Two-night stay for two at the Hotel Saturnia in Venice sponsored by the Italian Government Tourist Board
25 Three-night stay in a double room at K+K Hotels in London, Paris, Munich, Vienna, Budapest, Prague or Bucharest
26 Two round-trip business-class tickets on LAN to Quito or Guayaquil, Ecuador
27 Two-night stay in deluxe balcony accommodations at Le Merigot in Santa Monica, including breakfast for two and parking
28 A London vacation package with accommodations at The Royal Horseguards and two round-trip Executive First tickets on Air Canada from Canada to London, plus sightseeing provided by Visit London partners
29 Three-night stay in a junior suite club room with club access at the Lotte Hotel Seoul
30 Two round-trip business-class tickets on Lufthansa from any U.S. gateway to any destination in Europe
31 Two round-trip economy-class tickets from Orlando to Amsterdam on Martinair
32 Two-night weekend stay in a luxury guestroom at the Metropolitan Hotel Toronto, including breakfast for two
33 Two-night stay in an Ocean Surf-view guestroom at the Montage Laguna Beach, including one 60-minute spa treatment
34 Two-night stay in an oceanview guestroom at the Montage Laguna Beach
35 Two round-trip Biz Seat business-class tickets on OpenSkies from Newark to Paris
36 An Orlando vacation package with round-trip economy-class flight on AirTran Airways and a three-night stay in a double deluxe room at the Loews Portofino Bay Hotel at Universal Orlando
37 Two-night weekend stay at Peninsula Beverly Hills
38 120,000 Priority Club Rewards points
39 Two round-trip premium-economy tickets on Qantas from New York or Los Angeles to Sydney (A380 service)
40 Three-night weekend stay in a king or double room at the Renaissance Times Square
41 Two-night stay in a deluxe guestroom at The Ritz-Carlton Los Angeles
42 One round-trip business-class ticket on Royal Jordanian from New York (JFK), Chicago, Detroit or Montréal to Amman, Jordan
43 Three-night stay in a Valley Wing deluxe room at the Shangri-La Hotel Singapore
44 Three-night stay on a club floor with breakfast at the Sheraton Rio Resort
45 Two round-trip business-class tickets on Singapore Airlines from New York (JFK) to Frankfurt
46 One-night stay for two at Sofitel Chicago Water Tower
47 Two round-trip economy-class tickets on South African Airways from New York or Washington, D.C., to Johannesburg or Cape Town
48 Two round-trip business-class tickets on TAM Airlines from Miami, Orlando or New York to any Brazilian destination
49 Two round-trip executive-class tickets on TAP Portugal from Newark to Portugal
50 Two round-trip business-class tickets to Europe on United Airlines
51 Two round-trip economy-class tickets on Virgin America
52 Two round-trip premium-economy tickets on Virgin Atlantic from any U.S. gateway to London
53 Three-night stay at the Westin Dublin including full Irish breakfast
54 Three-night stay at Le Bourget Aero Suites in Bloomington, Minn.