Our LiTRV team has been fortunate to get to know many of our clients over the years who charter a luxury motorcoach with a private driver for a vacation, business trip, one-way travel, or an event. It’s especially inspiring when we learn that they are passionate about supporting a nonprofit organization or cause.
We at LiTRV are big advocates of helping others. And thank goodness many of our neighbors feel the same way. According to AmeriCorps, an estimated 28% of U.S. adults—75.7 million Americans—volunteered between September 2022 and 2023, contributing an estimated 4.99 billion hours valued at approximately $167.2 billion. Generation X had the highest rate of formal volunteering (27%) compared to Gen Z, Millennials, and Baby Boomers. And Baby Boomers had the highest rate of informal volunteering (59%), such as helping a neighbor, running errands, or providing unpaid childcare.
Corporations and small businesses also play an important role in giving back, and their clients and employees notice. According to Harvard Business School, 70% of Americans believe it’s either “somewhat” or “very important” for companies to make the world a better place. And 93% of employees believe companies must lead with purpose.
We’ve been so inspired by the charitable work some of our clients do, we wanted to share details about the nonprofits they support:
PeacePlayers Builds Thriving Communities Through Sports
Recently, we helped Ed and Penelope Peskowitz charter a luxury motorcoach with a private driver for a customized vacation. As we got to know Ed and Penelope better, we learned that they are big supporters of the global youth non-profit organization, PeacePlayers, which uses the power of sports to build peaceful and thriving communities. In fact, they are co-founders of The PeacePlayers Friendship Games, which connects and mobilizes PeacePlayers youth leaders from five international sites for a joint program of basketball, leadership training and cultural exchange.
PeacePlayers follows the philosophy of social psychologist Muzafer Sherif, who in the 1950s worked to find solutions to intergroup conflict. In sports, putting youth from opposing groups on the same basketball team and positioning them towards a common goal has helped them break down barriers, begin to heal and bridge divides.
The website is full of inspiring stories about how PeacePlayers is making a difference. For example, an 8-year study recently revealed that PeacePlayers’ Middle East program is transforming Arab and Jewish young people into agents for peace. The study, which involved 800 Arab and Jewish participants ages 8 to 16 years from more than 20 communities throughout Israel, found that PeacePlayers’ young leaders become active ambassadors for peace in their communities. As a result of sustained participation, they acquire the positive attitudes, personal resources and strong motivation needed to influence their peers.
We encourage you to learn more about PeacePlayers. You can also make a donation here.
The Heart of Racing Raises Money for Children’s Cardiology Research
While LiTRV is known for curating memorable vacations in a luxury motorcoach rental, we also work in the auto racing, equestrian and other industries to deliver, set up and maintain luxury motorcoaches during big events. Sometimes our clients own the motorcoach, and we assist with management and maintenance.
One of the racing teams we work with is The Heart of Racing, an American auto racing team established by British racing driver Ian James, American businessman Gabe Newell, and American developer Yahn Bernier. The team competes extensively, participating in more than 20 event weekends annually, with factory support from Aston Martin. With a strong presence in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, FIA World Endurance Championship, and the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge, the team showcases its commitment to performance, precision, and the relentless pursuit of victory.
The Heart of Racing owns their luxury motorcoach, and during some race weekends, LiTRV will transport the motorcoach to the racetrack and set it up so their team can fully prepare for 24 hours of endurance racing. As we got to know the team, we learned that The Heart of Racing uses their exposure of their motorsports teams to raise funds for Seattle Children’s Cardiology Research Fund. In addition to providing outstanding care for its patients, the cardiology research program is paving the way for developing new ways to prevent, diagnose, and treat heart problems.
Seattle Children’s was founded in 1907 to save and change the lives of children. They have been grateful to partner with The Heart of Racing since its first day on the track. Together, they are fighting relentlessly to make sure there’s no such thing as “out of options” and to make sure kids who “didn’t have a chance” can have the childhoods they deserve. The hospital’s Heart Center is a leader nationally and internationally in bringing innovations to children through all cardiac challenges. You can learn more or make a donation here.
The Joe Beretta Heart Foundation
Our LiTRV team also supports charities and causes in many ways. LiTRV co-owner Jim Colletti is a big supporter of The Joe Beretta Heart Foundation in Nashville, Tennessee. After understanding the true value TJBF brings to families of heart patients, Jim dedicated financial support and help with fundraising efforts.
Every 30 seconds, someone new is diagnosed with heart failure. The Beretta family knows firsthand how frightening and challenging this diagnosis can be. When Joe Beretta, the patriarch of the family, experienced sudden advanced heart failure in Spring 2016, they were introduced to the LVAD, or Left Ventricle Assist Device. Patients being considered for a VAD have reached a critical point in their health where their only chance for survival is a heart transplant or VAD. Both rely on technology and expertise that is difficult to implement outside of a very advanced hospital setting. Because of this, only a small percentage of hospitals can treat advanced heart failure patients, and most families must travel to receive care.
Fortunately, Joe and his wife of 33 years, Lillian, lived just miles away from Vanderbilt University Hospital, where Joe underwent the LVAD surgery. As the Beretta family walked through months of painstaking, time consuming evaluation, pre- and post-op hospital stays and the early stages of rehabilitation, they began to wonder how other families get by if they don’t live close to the hospital. They learned that many families are denied approval for the VAD process because they are unable to afford the weeks of hotels and commute costs. The VAD is miraculous but imperfect, so patients and their caregivers must spend four to six weeks within 60 miles of the hospital where they’re being treated for outpatient, post-op care. If they do not agree to incur the costs of relocating during this time, they will not receive the VAD.
When Joe passed away later in 2016, the family formed The Joe Beretta Foundation with the goal of supporting those in need of VAD implantation. The nonprofit provides emergency housing, emotional support, holiday outreach, short-term financial assistance, and more for patients and their families in eight hospitals in three cities. You can learn more or make a donation here.
Giving Back to the Community is Good for Your Health!
If you’re already volunteering or supporting a nonprofit, then you know how rewarding it can be to help others. In fact, studies confirm that giving back to the community through volunteering or philanthropy boosts physical and mental health. These acts reduce stress, lower blood pressure, alleviate depression, and improve cardiovascular health by lowering cortisol and releasing “feel-good” neurotransmitters like dopamine and oxytocin. Regular, altruistic giving promotes a longer lifespan, strengthens social connections, and enhances overall well-being.
We realize that this post is not our normal content about traveling in a luxury motorcoach rental, but we strongly believe that now more than ever, nonprofits need our help. Whatever cause you believe in or can get behind, take some time to either volunteer, make a donation, or provide support in another way.
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