Imagine taking that trip of a lifetime, at a fraction of its cost, and the proceeds go to one of your favorite charities! Sound too good to be true? Well it’s happening as consumers are purchasing travel packages from online auctions that benefit worthy causes.

There's not a day that goes by that non-profits are in news because of funding shortfalls. With the generous donations from travel industry providers, online auctions for charity are booming. This new way of raising funds for causes could not have come at a better time.

Michelle and James Isernia are a young professional couple from Martinsville, Virginia who shop by using online auctions. Michelle, a self-described “Foodie”, was drawn to an item on a New York City culinary festival’s auction benefiting The New York City Food Bank and Share Our Strength. The package they purchased included first class airfare, a seven night stay in New Orleans in a deluxe presidential hotel suite and seven nights of fine dining. The Isernia’s winning bid of $4150.00 won a package valued at over $8000.00!

Michelle and James shared with us, "to know that by doing a simple thing such as purchasing a great vacation we can help so many less fortunate than us is truly gratifying. When our friends would ask where we booked our trip, we would share with them how we got a great travel value while being able to help others. Since the travel items are donated by others and the proceeds of the auction go to help those in need, It's a win/win/win situation for everyone." The charities received all of the money raised, the Isernias had a dream vacation and the industry providers donated to causes demonstrating their corporate conscience.

The name of the host website for the online charity auctions says it all, www.biddingforgood.com. People can browse through thousands of items being auctioned off to benefit causes like Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation and the Salvation Army.

Travel is one of the most popular categories that sell in the auctions. cMarket is a leading provider of online auctions, including Bidding for Good. cMarket director of public relations, Kaijsa Kurstin, states that through 5000 plus auctions, over $68 million has been raised, all for charitable, non-profit causes.

For those of us who love to travel and are always looking for the next great adventure with a reasonable price, travel packages for good causes is an exciting option for purchasing your next fabulous trip.

Next time your family is ready to travel, log on, find and bid on a travel item and bless a worthy cause.