Hey Reader
This isn’t your typical Black Friday email no flash sales, no promo codes, and definitely no Amazon wishlists.
When I think about what I’m most grateful for, it’s not the gear I’ve packed or the souvenirs I’ve brought home.
It’s the experiences — the people met along trails, the laughter in tiny cafés, the way travel makes the world feel smaller and kinder.
So this Thanksgiving, I want to challenge you to gift experiences, not things. Take a friend hiking. Plan that long-overdue trip with your mom/dad/sister/brother/cousin.
Support small, local businesses that pour their heart into what they do.
And if you can, give back to organizations that make travel — and connection — possible for others.
Two Nonprofits I’m Thankful For
Rise Travel Institute
The Rise Travel Institute is changing the way we think about travel, focusing on education, ethics, and sustainability.
They believe travel should do good — for people, places, and the planet — and they offer programs that teach travelers how to make a positive impact through their choices.
Their mission reminds me that travel isn’t just about seeing the world, but understanding it. I actually took their Ethical Storytelling for Travelers course, and I found great value in it.
Discover their work and support Rise here.
USO (United Service Organizations)
The USO has always held a special place in my heart. As a military child and now spouse, I've been in every center you can imagine, and I even worked for them for 3 years while living in Korea.
They support service members and their families all around the world, from airport lounges that feel like home to morale events that remind deployed troops they’re never forgotten. I saw firsthand how giving back helps.
If you’ve ever walked into a USO center overseas, you know the power of that comfort. If you have no idea what I am talking about, check out the link below
Learn more or Donate to the USO.
Giving Thanks in BIG Ways
With everything happening in the world right now, I’ve been thinking a lot about what it really means to show up for our communities.
I’ve seen how many families are navigating difficult seasons, and it’s been a reminder that giving doesn’t have to be grand to matter. Sometimes it’s as simple as noticing what people around us might need — a shared meal, a few pantry staples, a check-in with a neighbor, or supporting a small business that keeps our towns running.
If you’re in the U.S., one place to start is Feeding America, which connects local food banks nationwide and makes it easy to donate or volunteer exactly where it’s needed most.
And for my readers in Europe, the European Food Banks Federation (FEBA) serves a similar role — linking food banks across the continent and helping you support families in your own community.
And if you’re able, consider doing something small and local wherever you are. Those small moments of care ripple out farther than we ever see.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re spending this weekend at home or out exploring, take a moment to give thanks for the world we get to wander.
The mountains, the markets, the strangers-turned-friends, these are the real gifts.
And they’re worth far more than anything in a shopping cart.
Happy Thanksgiving and safe travels,
Kimberly
kimberlykepharttravels.com
