Backpackerbucks – Message from founder Jay Holliday
Hello everyone. Thanks for checking out Backpacker Bucks. This is the first installment of an ongoing update page. Backpacker Bucks is like Hosteling International only we will be dealing with private hostels and other forms of lodging. We will be using profits from the sale of cards and advertising to help out orphans in developing nations. We will be starting with www.orphfund.org as it is a great organization that involves the backpacking international crowd and of course, orphans in developing countries. If you want to get involved in this fantastic charity check out the website. I know Steve Argent personally and he’s a great guy within this great organization.
As we expand and evolve we will be looking to ad orphanages in developing countries and hope to inspire travel to these same countries. We will be going international this year and will be looking for help from the backpackers of the world who wish to get involved. I am about to embark on a tour of British Columbia and Alberta in my VW Westfalia to drum up interest and hopefully many more discounts for Backpacker Bucks card holders. Using the internet and telephone only works so well. Talking in person with business owners should provide for a better understanding of this project.
The Good Things Orphfund Is Doing
We are a little behind with the launch of the site as our web developer had a run in with a car and unfortunately lost. He is all better now and so are we. There will be some subtle changes to the site as we more forward. As we are behind, so are the sale of the discount travel cards. We will be offering them for sale at $20 here on the site via PayPal and in participating hostels, hotels and discounters. We hope to do some good things for kids, save travelers some money and give a boost to the businesses offering generous discounts.
If you know of a hostel, store, restaurant, bar, tour or travel related business that would welcome a web listing on our site please tell them about us. We just ask that you provide a discount of whatever they can afford. The listings can be changed, added or taken down at anytime by myself or the discounter that provided the listing. It is free and always will be. A big thank you to all those businesses that have signed up and to all the new ones in the future.
Sincerely, Jay Holliday
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Dear Jay,
I would like to receive more information on how backpackerbucks.com to evaluate the possibility of accepting the card and/or selling your cards. First I need to be convinced that you are a legitimate operator. Excuse my distrust. As an experienced traveler I am sure you would be cautiuos with someone that comes to offer their friendship to you on the street. You became and admirer of Hostal Athenas on FB and I think that would be the Internet equivalent.
What part of your profit would be given to http://www.orphfund.org? Does anyone audit your accounts?. Do you have any references?
Thank you for your response.
Xavier Tarragon
What part of your profit would be given to http://www.orphfund.org?
Our first year of sales (2012) we will be selling cards for 2 euro (in Europe) / 2 dollars (in North an South America) at hostels. Of that, we will keep half a euro or 50 cents to produce the cards, run the site, shipping, business costs and work on expansion. Half a euro or 50 cents will go towards Orphfund and sending backpackers to Orphfund projects. The other euro or dollar is the hostels to keep or put towards Orphfund projects. We will also be selling them online for the same price plus $3 shipping starting in 2012.
Does anyone audit your accounts?. Do you have any references?
Since this is an upstart, we have not yet raised sufficient funds to send to Orphfund. We will probably wait until we have minimum installments of $500. We have contacts at Orphfund that we are working with. We will be posting donations on the website and have photos and testimonials from the places we help. Orphfund will not be the only charity. Our accounts are reviewed on an annual basis a chartered accounting firm in Victoria called Lee & Sharpe. As this project grows and requires more advise on international issues, tax receipts etc, we will likely work with KPMG (who we also work with).
The main principals behind the project are Jay Holiday and Michael Stevulak.
Michael is a businessman with a strong social conscience. He has been involved with many local charities, coaching kids, and setting up businesses with a strong interest in sustainable practices.
You can google both of us to see if you can find any dirt
Jay is a world traveler who tries to visit as many members of BackpackerBucks.com and the potential charities. BackpackerBucks was Jays brainchild after experiencing many cases of poverty and neglect in his world travels.
We share the same concerns about the charities we will be sending funds to.
Michael Stevulak was a former local board member of the United Way and has an understanding of monitoring charities.
We appreciate your concerns and due diligence! Since we are in the upstart phase, there is a certain leap of faith required.
Let us know if we can provide any additional information.
Dearest Jay,
How are you doing? Thank you so much for shooting this amazing page out and up for all budget travelers. I am so impressed with your passion in traveling the world and see of ways helping those in great need. I am a local Cambodian from Siem Reap Angkor would like to wish you and your team all the very best and good health.
I really do my best to assist those who are in need of shelter, food and education but i am still at my limit. So what i am doing now is running a small lodging and tour service business with hope that we could mobilize more help for the less fortunate kids in Siem Reap area. We give away 15% of our income to a local children home. But this is just very small peice only.. We desired that we could do more than this..
Once again, thank you so much for allowing me to add my business in your page for free. I am looking forward to seeing great feedback and fruit from my listing with you and wish be a part of your great initiative..
With best regards,
Meang
Proprietor/Manager
Prohm Roth Guesthouse & Awgoon Angkor Tours
Thank you for getting involved with BackpackerBucks. We are getting more listings with each passing day and are systems are being refined to be very simple to use for both those wanting to place a discount and the traveller wanting to find great places to honor their BackpackerBucks Card.
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