"Give Back Getaways" courtesy of the Ritz

The brand widely hailed as the epitome of luxury is stepping into new territory with its social and eco initiative dubbed Community Footprints. As of recent, the Ritz-Carlton Club (a fractional ownership sector of the worldwide hotel chain) is offering voluntourism opportunities cleverly coined "Give Back Getaways."

At choice destinations worldwide, Ritz staffers have selected community programs worthy of a helping hand--creating a charitable opportunity for travelers to mix work and play while away. Examples of volunteer vacations include:

The Ritz-Carlton Club, St. Thomas (and Walking Among the Mangroves)
Volunteers begin with a tour of the mangroves and salt ponds to learn how the trees protect the islands from erosion and storm surges, and provide a safe haven for underwater life. Then, they work in the mangrove nursery by planting seedlings or transplanting juvenile trees. Shown above.

The Ritz-Carlton Club and Residences, San Francisco (and Glide Memorial Methodist Church)
The property is committed to assisting in serving meals to the homeless, elderly and underprivileged. Members and employees partake in this cause by volunteering to support Glide's mission of serving meals in an atmosphere of respect, acceptance and love. In fact, the organization has been known to serve as many as 5,000 meals within an eight-hour period.

The Ritz-Carlton Club, Bachelor Gulch (and Snowboard Outreach Program)
In collaboration with the youth organization, members and employees at The Club can participate in activities such as a "Build Day" with Habitat for Humanity or maintaining a national forest trail. The society was founded to help disadvantaged children develop life skills.

The Ritz-Carlton Club, Aspen Highlands (and Adopt-a-Highway)
With the average American producing 1,600 pounds of trash each year and about an eighth of the trash not making it to the appropriate landfill sites, the property has designated a two-mile section on Highway 82. Participants clean up debris along the road and the Roaring Fork River.