About
ESTO Cares is organized by the National Council of State Tourism Directors Alumni Group. Its purpose is to make a difference in each community by giving back to the host destination of ESTO. A variety of volunteer fundraising activities have been held since 2015, the inception of ESTO Cares. All volunteer opportunities support and generate awareness for a local charitable organization. Ticket proceeds are donated to the charitable organization that ESTO Cares selects each year.
Through the Years
Year | Location | Activity |
2015 | Portland, OR | Clearing construction debris from the banks of the Willamette River. |
2016 | Boca Raton, FL | Beach litter clean up at Spanish River Park to protect sea turtle hatching habitats in partnership with Gumbo Limbo Nature Center. |
2017 | Minneapolis, MN | Clearing crown vetch from the banks of the Mississippi at historic Mill Ruins Park. Event was rained out, but funds were raised for the city parks. |
2018 | Phoenix, AZ | Packing food kits to be shipped overseas in partnership with Feed My Starving Children. |
2019 | Austin, TX | Packing food for distribution at the Central Texas Food Bank. |
2020 | CANCELED | ESTO 2020 was canceled due to COVID-19. |
2021 | Los Angeles, CA | Onsite, packing hygiene kits for Los Angelinos experiencing homelessness in partnership with LA Works. |
2022 | Grand Rapids, MI | Onsite, packing literacy kits for Heart of West Michigan United Way. |
2023 | Savannah, GA | Onsite, packing materials for the Girl Scouts of Historic Georgia. |