This weekend kicks off Global Traveler‘s annual online charity auction. After months of planning, our auction will go live this Sunday, March 15, 2009. So, let the bidding begin! This year, 100 percent of the proceeds will benefit Pencils For Kids, Inc., an organization founded by Loretta Jitner, a close partner of Global Traveler. While on a trip to Burma, Jitner was approached by a young girl asking for a pencil. When she handed the girl a pen, it was refused. Puzzled, she inquired further and found that these children cannot attend school without all the necessary supplies – like pencils. Inspired to act, Jitner founded PFK and is dedicated to providing supplies to children in need around the world. Of course, she is truly providing a bigger gift – the gift of an education. “Pencils For Kids, Inc. brings the opportunity of an education to children in developing countries who may otherwise not be able to attend school,” said Jitner. “By assisting these children with backpacks filled with school supplies, we ensure they have the opportunity to learn, grow and open their minds to the endless possibilities they have in themselves and in this world.” And now you too can help! Log on to the auction Web site, beginning this Sunday and running through May 15, and bid on the world-class items up for grabs. Among the items are airline tickets, hotel stays and more. Airline tickets include Air Canada, Asiana, Emirates, Lufthansa, Singapore Airlines, SWISS, TAM, TAP Portugal, American and more. Hotel stays include ClubHotel Riu Karamboa, Corinthia Hotel Prague, Emirates Palace, Four Seasons San Francisco, Le Merigot Santa Monica, Raffles Beijing and many, many more. We also have luxury concierge memberships, golf clubs, commissioned artwork and other unique products up for grabs. It is going to be hard deciding what to bid on! You can’t win if you don’t bid. And bidders are eligible for a special random prize drawing at the conclusion of the auction. And, I can’t finish up this blog without rooting for my alma mater – the Syracuse Orange. After six overtimes, they defeated UCONN last night in an important victory in the Big East Tournament. They face West Virginia tonight and the March Madness tournament teams are announced Sunday. GO ORANGE!! -Kim Krol, eFlyer editor, circulation and public relations executive