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Since 1985, civic organization members and other adventurous people from all over have been traveling internationally, enjoying the sights and sharing memorable experiences. During their time abroad, they arrange a goodwill visit, such as to a home for the blind or aged, an orphanage or a hospital. Wearing festive Santa costumes (included in the tour cost), travelers spend time with locals in need, making for a special experience.
What kind of gifts would I need to bring on a Santa Goodwill Tour?
You may wish to take along small, inexpensive items to give to those you visit. Suggested items are simple: combs, soaps, picture postcards from your hometown, coloring books and crayons. While gifts are nice, it’s your actual presence rather than presents that is appreciated.
How long are the goodwill visits?
One of the best highlights of the tour, they generally are about a half day.
How can I learn more?
Call the Santa Goodwill Tours office (800-338-7673) to borrow a DVD that can be viewed by you or a group. Or view the video at www.incontra.com. You can request that your name be placed on the group’s contact list to receive information.
Source: InConTra Inc., which stands for International Concept and Travel
Several years ago we (Jerry and wife Betty) decided to embark on a Santa Goodwill Tour. It should be no surprise that it typically takes place about a month before Christmas Day.
We found out about these adventures shortly after the SARS epidemic caused tourists to shy away from visiting Southeast Asia. The tour operator, InConTra lnc., described trips leaving from New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco or Chicago to travel to Beijing, Hong Kong, Singapore or Bangkok.
We opted to go from Chicago to Bangkok for five days and four nights. Our only additional task was to book round-trip flights from Omaha to Chicago. We also decided to add a tour extension in Tokyo for an extra three days.
Imagine 250 Santas in full regalia in the lobby of the Hotel Imperial in the Ginza district of Tokyo, singing Christmas carols for unsuspecting tourists. Afterward, we Santas were encouraged to go out among the folks along the Ginza, one of the fanciest sections of the city. We were impressed by the number of people who stopped us to take our photos, sometimes with their children. They were happy to share the cell phone images that they were sending to their families. We were real celebrities!
The next day, 40 of us Santas embarked on a trip to Bangkok, where we met 67 additional Santas a total of 107! It was nice to gather with our fellow Santas in the hotel lobby, where we received refreshments and gifts.
The following day, all 107 of us were carted along some main thoroughfares in our Santa suits to visit a school for blind children. The children had just eaten lunch and were going to sing Christmas carols to us in English. When they sat down, we were encouraged to open our sacks of goodies and try to pass around gifts to as many children as possible. We learned how to say “thank you” in the Thai language. This was truly a touching experience.
The next day, we joined a group of orphaned young ladies for lunch. We treated them to some small gifts and they also entertained us. Afterward, all the Santas took the elevated train to a shopping mall, where we were to sing Christmas carols at the same time as all of the other Santa groups around the world. We were trying to set a record for most number of Santas singing carols at the same time.
Our last evening there was a farewell dinner on the banks of the river with Thai delicacies and a heavy dose of camaraderie. For our final day, we were together for our trip to the airport and hugs from other Santas.
The tour director announced that the following year, the Santas would go to Iceland and all of a sudden, we had a change of plans for the next Christmas.
This year, the 25th year for the tours, trips are planned for Cape Town, South Africa, and Warsaw, Poland. It looks like Warsaw will be our third Goodwill destination.
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