Nineteen charitable organizations from all over the United States benefited from ASTA's Political Action Committee's (ASTAPAC) charitable match program in 2007 as the Society said. ASTA's Corporate Advisory Council (CAC) provided $25,000 in funds for the program, an increase of $5,000 from 2006. Through the charitable match program, ASTA challenges its chapters to meet certain political action fundraising criteria in order to qualify for CAC matching charitable funds. Thirteen chapters qualified for the CAC funds, disbursed on a first-come, first-serve basis.

"As the 'One Voice' for our industry, ASTA is leading the way in ensuring our voice is heard in the halls of government in Washington D.C. and throughout the United States," said Roger E. Block, CTC, President of The Travel Franchise Group and chair of ASTA's CAC. "Over the past year, our strong voices were carried farther and accomplished so much more, not only in Washington D.C., but also in Michigan and Texas, where our lobbying efforts were needed to protect the well being of travel agency owners. This was possible thanks to the financial support of the CAC."

The CAC is an appointed group of travel professionals who advise ASTA and assist with carrying out its mission. This year ASTAPAC congratulates the Midwest chapter for its record-breaking fundraising of almost $16,000.

The following charities were selected by the eligible chapters and received their donations during the months of January and February of this year:

• Visitor Aloha Society of Hawaii (Hawaii Chapter)
• Faith Food Pantry (Midwest Chapter)
• Chicago Night Ministry (Midwest Chapter)
• DuPage P.A.D.S. (Midwest Chapter)
• Marklund Philip Center for Children (Midwest Chapter)
• Arizona National Guard Relief Fund, Inc. (Arizona Chapter)
• World Ties (Wisconsin/UPM Chapter)
• Humane Society of Greater Miami/Adopt-A-Pet (South Florida Chapter)
• Tuesday's Angels (South Florida Chapter)
• Akron-Canton Regional Food Bank (Mid-America Chapter)
• Mercy Hospital Skilled Nursing Facility (Upstate New York Chapter)
• Lighthouse at Oakland County (Michigan Chapter)
• The American Red Cross (Central Atlantic Chapter)
• The Brain Tumor Society (New England Chapter)
• C/SARA (Southwest Chapter)
• Irving Police Department/Family Advocacy Center (Southwest Chapter)
• Minnesota Helps-Bridge Disaster Fund (Upper Midwest Chapter)
• Habitat for Humanity-Pearl River County (Southeast Chapter)
• SGK Breast Cancer Foundation (Southeast Chapter)

ASTAPAC was established in 1979 to represent the collective voice of the Society's travel agent membership before the U.S. Congress and the White House. Celebrating its 29th year as the strongest PAC for travel agents, ASTAPAC has educated elected officials about travel agent issues and helped counterbalance opposing positions. Over the last three years, ASTAPAC has contributed over $90,000 to worthy, pro-travel agent federal candidates.

The Corporate Advisory Council (CAC) is comprised of the heads of the largest travel agency organizations (i.e., consortia, franchise organizations, independent agencies). The Council works on issues of common interest to the retail travel agent community coordinated through the American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA).