AirCares^® Partners

AirCares works with non-profit organizations to help support their travel needs.  Northwest AirCares partners to date follow, in alphabetical order.

AMERICA'S SECOND HARVEST

Second Harvest, the nation's largest charitable hunger relief organization, is composed of 181 food banks serving 50 states and Puerto Rico in the battle against hunger. Second Harvest solicits and distributes nearly 1 billion pounds of food and grocery products to more than 50,000 non-profit organizations, including soup kitchens, homeless shelters, food pantries and Kids Cafes.

Phone: 800.532.FOOD. Web site is http://www.secondharvest.org

AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY

The American Cancer Society (ACS) is a nationwide, community-based voluntary health organization. Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, the ACS has state divisions and more than 3,400 local offices. Their goal is to prevent cancer, save lives, and diminish suffering from cancer.

Phone: 800.ACS.2345. Web site is http://www.cancer.org

AMERICAN RED CROSS

For more than 100 years, in times of war, crisis and natural disaster, the American Red Cross has rushed to the aid of victims. The largest humanitarian organization in the United States, the American Red Cross is prepared to react quickly in times of need, saving lives and restoring hope in local communities and around the world.

For online monetary donations to the American Red Cross click here. American Red Cross will collect the necessary information to accept your donation. To insure that you receive WorldPerks Bonus Miles for your contribution of $50 or more, American Red Cross will share your name with Northwest Airlines. This personal information will not be captured or shared for any other purpose than to fulfill this offer.

Phone: 800.HELP-NOW. Web site is http://www.redcross.org

AMERICARES

AmeriCares is a nonprofit disaster relief and humanitarian aid organization, which provides immediate response to emergency medical needs and supports long-term healthcare programs for people around the world, irrespective of race, creed or political persuasion. Since its inception in 1982, AmeriCares has delivered over $2.5 billion in aid to 137 nations worldwide.

Phone: 800.486.HELP. Web site is http://www.americares.org

BIG BROTHERS/BIG SISTERS OF AMERICA®

The nation's premier one-to-one mentoring organization, Big Brothers/Big Sisters pairs adult volunteers with children from single-parent homes who need the influence of a non-related role model.

Phone: 215.567.7000. Web site is http://www.bbbsa.org

BOYS AND GIRLS CLUBS OF AMERICA

Since 1860, Boys & Girls Clubs have been helping young people realize and pursue productive futures. With some 1,600 clubs around the country, disadvantaged youths have a place they can go for growth opportunities.

Phone: 800.854.CLUB. Web site is http://www.bgca.org

CHALLENGE ASPEN

The mission of Challenge Aspen is to provide recreational and cultural experiences for individuals who have mental or physical disabilities.  We encourage families and friends to share in these experiences.  Challenge Aspen encourages children and adults with disabilities to participate in life rather than be left on the sidelines - every activity empowers individuals and gives added purpose to their lives.  As they learn new skills and engage in activities that they previously thought impossible, people with disabilities gain confidence.

Phone:  970.923.0578.  Web site is http://www.challengeaspen.com

CHILDREN'S CANCER RESEARCH FUND

The Children's Cancer Research Fund (CCRF) is a leading non-profit organization committed to funding innovative and progressive research in pursuit of a world free of childhood cancer. Funds are directed to the University of Minnesota whose Comprehensive Cancer Center designation by the National Cancer Institute makes it one of the nation's preeminent facilities for research and treatment of childhood cancer.

Phone: 888.422.7348.  Web site is http://www.childrenscancer.org

CHILDREN'S DIABETES FOUNDATION

The Children's Diabetes Foundation is dedicated solely to the support of research in childhood diabetes and to the provision of the best possible clinical and educational programs for children with this disease. The organization raises funds to support the Barbara Davis Center for Childhood Diabetes in Denver, where more than 2,000 children and young adults from all over America receive care -- regardless of economic status.

Phone:  800.695.2873. Web site is http://www.uchsc.edu/misc/diabetes/bdc.html

CHILDREN'S HEARTLINK

Children's HeartLink is an international medical charity dedicated to the treatment and prevention of heart disease in needy children.  The organization provides treatment, medical equipment and supplies as well as training for medical professionals at their partner sites to ensure children continue to receive treatment long after medical teams leave.  Since the organization was established in 1969, Children's HeartLink has assisted children in 29 different countries and made an impact on the lives of hundreds of thousands of children.

Phone:  952.928.4860.  Web site is http://www.childrensheartlink.org

THE DREAM FOUNDATION

The Dream Foundation is the first national nonprofit organization that exists to grant final wishes to terminally ill adults. Their goal is to provide a dying adult with the peace and fulfillment of realizing one final wish. Most of the dreams granted center on providing someone with the opportunity to be reunited with a loved one.

Phone:  888.4.DREAMS.  Web site is http://www.dreamfoundation.org

ELIZABETH GLASER PEDIATRIC AIDS FOUNDATION

Founded in 1988 by Elizabeth Glaser, the Pediatric AIDS Foundation funds AIDS research exclusively for children.

Phone:  310.395.9051.  Web site is http://www.pedaids.org

EPILEPSY FOUNDATION OF AMERICA®

Epilepsy is a common neurological disorder that affects one out of every 100 people, mostly children. The Epilepsy Foundation of America is dedicated to helping families cope with the many issues surrounding treatment, education and social development of children with seizure disorders.

Phone:  800.332.1000.  Web site is http://www.efa.org

GUIDE DOGS OF AMERICA

Guide Dogs of America trains and provides guide dogs, free of charge, to persons who are blind or visually impaired and performs a lifetime of follow-up services. It was formed in 1948 by Joseph Jones Sr., a retired union member who had lost his eyesight but could not get a guide dog from existing schools because of his age. Guide Dogs of America does not discriminate. Anyone age 16 or older who is legally blind can apply for a guide dog.

Phone:  800.4K9.GUID.  Web site is http://www.guidedogsofamerica.org

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY INTERNATIONAL

Based on the idea of creating simple, decent, affordable housing, Habitat for Humanity builds or renovates houses that are sold to families in need at no profit and at no interest. Homeowners invest hundreds of hours of their own labor into building their homes, and those of others.

Phone:  800.HABITAT.  Web site is http://www.habitat.org

JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT®

Using highly interactive lesson plans, business people recruited and trained by Junior Achievement teach more than 2 million children in kindergarten through 12th grade about all things financial, from how to value individual talents to how the global economy works.

Phone:  800.THE-NEW-JA.  Web site is http://www.ja.org

JUVENILE DIABETES FOUNDATION INTERNATIONAL

The Juvenile Diabetes Foundation International is dedicated to finding a cure for diabetes through the support of research. JDF was founded in 1970 by parents who refused to accept diabetes as a death sentence for their children.

Phone:  800.JDF.CURE.  Web site: http://www.jdf.org

THE LEUKEMIA AND LYMPHOMA SOCIETY®

The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of America is a national voluntary health agency dedicated to curing leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease and myeloma - and to improving the quality of life of patients and their families.

Phone:  800.955.4LSA.  Web site is http://www.leukemia-lymphoma.org

LITERACY PARTNERS

Founded 25 years ago, Literacy Partners is a volunteer-based organization whose mission is to help adults develop the reading, writing and math skills needed to succeed in day-to-day living.

Phone:  212.725.9200.  Web site is http://www.literacypartners.org

MAKE-A-WISH FOUNDATION®

The Make-A-Wish Foundation grants wishes to children under the age of 18 who are living with life-threatening illnesses. With the support of dedicated volunteers and donors, the Foundation's 81 chapters throughout the United States have granted more than 58,000 wishes since the inception of the Foundation in 1980. The Foundation's International affiliates have granted more than 5,000 wishes outside of the United States.

Phone:  800.722.WISH.  Web site is http://www.wish.org

MARCH OF DIMES

Through research and education, the March of Dimes works on several fronts to eliminate birth defects and to help parents have healthy babies. Many thousands of babies are born with birth defects every year and the causes of 60% of these problems remain unknown.

Phone: 800.453.3816.  Web site is at http://www.modimes.org

NATIONAL MARROW DONOR PROGRAM®

The National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP) has facilitated more than 16,000 blood stem cell transplants throughout the world for patients with life-threatening diseases such as leukemia and aplastic anemia, as well as certain immune system and genetic disorders.  The NMDP offers searching patients who do not have suitable family donors a single point of access for all three types of stem cells used in transplantation: marrow, peripheral blood and umbilical cord blood.  Through its extensive U.S. and international network, the NMDP manages the largest and most diverse registry of more than 5 million volunteer donors, including more than 25,000 cord blood units.

Phone:  800.MARROW-2.  Web site is http://www.marrow.org

THE NATIONAL SAFE KIDS CAMPAIGN®

Launched in 1988, the SAFE KIDS Campaign works at the grassroots level to help prevent childhood injury. They reach out to families in need by providing them with car seats, smoke alarms, bike helmets and other safety devices. They also work to make injury prevention a public policy priority, advocating for child safety laws at the state, local and federal level.

Phone:  202.662.0600.  Web site is http://www.safekids.org

THE NATURE CONSERVANCY®

For over 40 years, The Nature Conservancy has helped preserve plants, animals and natural communities that represent the diversity of life on earth. The cornerstone of the Conservancy's work is objective scientific information. To date, the Conservancy and its members have been responsible for the protection of more than 7.5 million acres in 50 states and Canada. It has helped like-minded partner organizations to preserve millions of acres in Latin America and Caribbean.

Phone:  703.841.5300.  Web site is http://www.tnc.org

OPERATION SMILE

Operation Smile is a volunteer medical services organization providing reconstructive surgery and related health care to indigent children and young adults in developing countries and the United States. Since 1982, volunteers have donated their time and skills to repair the faces of more than 40,000 children disfigured and stigmatized by cleft lips and palates, tumors, burns and other birth defects, bestowing dignity at home and abroad.

Phone:  888.OP-SMILE.  Web site is http://www.operationsmile.org

OXFAM AMERICA

For more than 25 years, Oxfam America has worked to alleviate global poverty and hunger through lifesaving emergency response measures, long-term community development, and advocacy for government policies supportive of sustainable development. Oxfam America has pioneered an alternative approach to development, promoting change "from the bottom up."

Phone:  800.OXFAM-US.  Web site is http://www.oxfam.org

SAINT JUDE CHILDREN'S RESEARCH HOSPITAL®

Saint Jude Children's Research Hospital®, opened in 1962, was founded by the late entertainer Danny Thomas. It is the first institution established for the sole purpose of conducting basic and clinical research into childhood catastrophic diseases. St. Jude treats thousands of children each year, and is supported primarily through public contributions.

Phone:  800.822.6344.  Web site is http://www.stjude.org

THE SALVATION ARMY

Since the 1880s, The Salvation Army has helped meet the basic needs of people everywhere -- feeding the hungry, sheltering the homeless, comforting the sick and lonely, counseling the afflicted, and providing worship opportunities. The Salvation Army brings help to millions in need during the holiday season and all year-round.

Phone:  703.684.5500.  Web site is http://www.salvationarmy.org

SHARE OUR STRENGTH

Share Our Strength is one of the nation's largest non-profit hunger relief organizations. It has one goal: alleviate and prevent hunger in the United States and around the world. With the help of thousands of volunteers who contribute skills and resources, SOS distributes grants, educates the public and organizes community outreach programs.

Phone:  800.969.4SOS.  Web site is http://www.strength.org

SIGHTFIRST

Dedicated to eliminating preventable and reversible blindness throughout the world, SightFirst has helped thousands of people afflicted with sight impairments. From recycling used eyeglasses to funding mobile units and eye hospitals in foreign countries, SightFirst is leading the charge against sight impairment.

Phone:  800.288.8846

SPECIAL OLYMPICS INTERNATIONAL

Special Olympics is an international year-round program of sports training and competition for individuals with mental retardation. More than one million athletes in over 160 countries train and compete in 25 Olympic-type summer and winter sports. Founded in 1968 by Eunice Kennedy Shriver, Special Olympics provides people with mental retardation continuing opportunities to develop fitness, demonstrate courage and experience joy as they participate in the sharing of gifts and friendship with their families and community.

Phone: 800.700.8585.  Web site is http://www.specialolympics.org

STARBRIGHT FOUNDATION

The STARBRIGHT Foundation is working to change the face of childhood illness. By recognizing the link between a child's state of mind and their ability to recover from illness, STARBRIGHT creates products and programs that help seriously ill children confront the medical and emotional challenges they face. STARBRIGHT brings together leaders from the worlds of technology, pediatric medicine and entertainment to ensure that no child need sacrifice quality of life to an illness.

Phone:  800.315.2580.  Web site is http://www.starbright.org

TOYS FOR TOTS

Created in 1947 by the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, the Toys for Tots Program has annually fulfilled the Christmas holiday hopes and dreams of our nation's neediest children for more than 55 years.  This simple act of recognition delivers a message of hope to underprivileged children, helps them realize that someone cares and they are important.  It also builds self-esteem and motivates youngsters to a productive life.  Conducted in 414 communities nationwide, Marines collect and distribute toys, books and other gifts to underprivileged and hospitalized children.  In 2002 alone, the Marines assisted 5.7 million children from every state, Washington, DC and Puerto Rico.

Phone:  703.640.9433.  Web site is http://www.toysfortots.org

UNICEF

For more than 50 years, UNICEF has worked tirelessly to provide the world's poorest children in 160 countries with lifesaving medicine, clean water, nutrition and education, as well as offer assistance and protection in times of war and disaster.

For more information about UNICEF, visit http://www.UNICEF.org

UNITED NEGRO COLLEGE FUND

UNCF is a consortium of 39 private, accredited four-year historically black colleges and universities. UNCF has grown to become the nation's oldest and most successful African American higher education assistance organization.

Phone:  800.331.2244.  Web site is http://www.uncf.org