JetBlue Launches Kindness Contest

JetBlue has declared November the month for kindness and goodness, calling on passengers to get in on the action in exchange for a chance to win a free volunteer trip.

The airline said Thursday that it’s launching a program called “JetBlue For Good Month,” which will focus on philanthropy and giving.

Customers are encouraged to join in by showcasing their own acts of kindness or giving using the hashtag #CheckInForGood.

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Those who enter the JetBlue contest could win a trip to volunteer with some of the airline’s non-profit partners around the world, doing work focused on three core areas: youth and education; community or the environment.

“Service is part of our DNA at JetBlue. We created JetBlue For Good Month to celebrate all the ways we give back year-round — and this year we’re thrilled to bring our customers on board too,” said Icema Gibbs, director corporate social responsibility, JetBlue.

“Like JetBlue, our customers value kindness and humanity. #CheckInForGood is a great way for us to roll up our sleeves together, celebrate good deeds, and reinforce our belief that every single person can make a difference.”

Starting today, mock JetBlue check-in kiosks will pop up in surprise locations throughout New York City and Los Angeles. The kiosks will continue to appear in the two cities through November 9.

During that time, the public may fill out short questionnaires at the kiosks about what “good they have to declare.” (If you’re not in New York or L.A., not to worry, the questionnaires can also be completed online at jetbluecheckinforgood.com.)

Based on responses, entrants will be matched with causes aligned to JetBlue’s three key pillars and placed on “standby” for an opportunity to win a seat on one of a handful of volunteer trips that will depart around #GivingTuesday, the international day of giving.

Among the trips are volunteer experiences in Houston, as well as Jamaica and the Bahamas.

In Houston, winners will work with the Houston Public Library, which is still recovering from the impacts of Hurricane Harvey. Seven branches of the library remain closed as a result of storm damage, leaving the surrounding communities with no access to the library’s programs, services or books.

Volunteers who take part in this trip (which runs November 27-29) will visit elementary schools impacted by Hurricane Harvey that have low literacy rates and where libraries remain closed. In addition, participants will help operate pop-up libraries and host reading events.

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The Jamaica trip, which also takes place November 27-29, will support the Sandals Foundation’s local Caribbean community efforts. In particular, participants will work with The Eltham Community Centre, which serves the rural area surrounding Ocho Rios. The center is a hub for neighbors who gather for free mental and dental care as well as for spay and neuter services for animals.

Volunteers will paint, renovate and restore the building, ensuring that it’s a safe, healthy and inspiring space.

The Bahamas trip is designed to support the Atlantis Blue Project Foundation. Home to one of the largest coral reefs in the world, sustainability is essential to the marine ecosystem as reefs provide food and shelter for a variety of marine life. Working with marine ecologist Craig Dahlgren, of the Atlantis Blue Project Foundation, volunteers will participate in a coral nursery project, assisting with harvesting and out-planting coral. They will also support a dolphin sanctuary.

Those who don’t win a trip still have an opportunity to do good through JetBlue’s contest. The first 2,000 entrants who #CheckInForGood receive donation codes to donate to a charity of their choice at globalgiving.org/jetblue.

The volunteer trip winners will be notified on a rolling basis through November 20.

Follow @MiaTaylorWriter