Hotel Stays, T-Shirts and Concerts: Ways to Help with the Gulf Coast Recovery

As the oil spill in the Gulf continues, many want to help the region in some way. While volunteering comes to mind for many, it’s not for everyone. For those unable to donate their time, there are many other ways to help with the ongoing Gulf Coast recovery.

So, why not…

• Take a vacation: When planning a weekend getaway, considering staying at a property that gives back to different organizations working with the recovery. Hotel Duval (map), a boutique hotel in Tallahassee, Fla., is donating $10 per every reservation through August 31 to the Audubon Society of Florida. When booking, request the GULF package. Both Crowne Plaza Jacksonville Riverfront (map) and Crowne Plaza Hollywood Beach (map) are offering the Relax and Assist package that donates 10 percent of the room rate to the Greater New Orleans Foundation’s Gulf Coast Oil Spill Fund. The package is available for stays through September 30. A handful of hotels through Virginia and Maryland have joined together in “Care for the Coast.” Using the offer code COAST CARE when booking your stay, not only will you receive 10 percent off the rate, but also 10 percent of your paid rate will go toward the Gulf Relief Foundation. This special is good through the end of September.
• Buy a t-shirt: One Nola is selling “Save Our Coast” T-shirts (men and women) both online and in their store (located in Jax Brewery – map) for $25, with net proceeds going to the Lake Pontchartrain Basin Foundation/Save Our Coast. At Storyville, an online storefront, you can choose from “Delta Blues” ($24), and two different “Save Our Coast” T-shirts ( $30 and $23). For every “Save Our Coast” tee-shirts sold, Storyville will donate $5 to the Gulf Coast Oil Spill Fund. Spectrum Resorts in Gulf Shores, Ala., is selling “Support Alabama’s Gulf Coast” T-shirt for $22. A percentage of the proceeds from sales benefit the Bon Secour Wildlife Refuge.
• Attend a concert: Jimmy Buffet isn’t the only concert benefiting the region. The Legend Brewing Company (map) in Richmond, Va., is hosting “Gulf Give RVA” on July 15, from 4 p.m. – 12 midnight. This benefit concert was coordinated by locals who wanted to do more for the Gulf Coast recovery. A suggested donation of $10 will be collected at the door. Money raised will go to the Gulf Restoration Network. On August 1, the Southern Rock Jam will rock the Aaron Bessant Park Amphitheater (map) in Panama City Beach, Fla with the Gulf Coast Jam Benefit. Parking is $5, with a suggested donation of $20 at the gate. A portion of the proceeds will benefit four different organizations including the Gulf Coast Oil Spill Fund.

photo credit: personal photo