The Pell City Educational Foundation and Pell City Library Guild offers the opportunity to go on once-in-a-lifetime vacations, all while helping Pell City. This year alone, the foundation provided the opportunity for locals to go to Paris, London and most recently, Canada. And next year, they’re aiming for Italy.

The combined commissions from this year’s trips raised $5,000 for the Pell City Library Guild and $12,000 for grants for the Pell City Education Foundation, money that was awarded Tuesday night, July 26, at a presentation for the upcoming trip the foundation is planning. The money for the library helped to fund its new location, while the educational grants went to different teachers to help them purchase classroom necessities, such as textbooks.

“I could dance,” said Deanna Lawley, who handles the paperwork and technical aspects of the trips, “It will help so many teachers.”

According to Lawley, the money for these causes used to come from the interest from donations, but with interest rates declining, there wasn’t enough money left over to do much of anything with. That’s when the idea of travel came up. A travel group is hired to take care of the details of the trip details and a certain percentage is set aside from every trip to go to either the Library Guild or the Pell City Educational Foundation. Each traveler gets to designate which cause their percentage of their commission goes toward.

“It’s a win-win,” Lawley said, “We have had phenomenal success. These trips have really grown and we are proud to give it back to the teachers.”

Donna Watkins, Michal Hopson and Barbara Money all went on the trip to the Canadian Rockies two weeks ago. They recalled the experience with laughter, remembering the turquoise blue water surrounded by towering mountains. She and the others from the Canada trip are hoping for even more memorable experiences in Tuscany, where the Educational Foundation is planning their next trip.

Trips are held through the travel company, Collette, which is also the same company that gives away trips on game shows like Wheel of Fortune.

A representative of Collette, Jack Brinson, presented information about the Tuscany trip at the meeting Tuesday night. The trip will span nine days, from April 25 – May 3, 2017. Collette will take travelers to the airport from a designated pick-up location in Pell City, will take care of your bags for you and will provide a guide on the trip.

“You don’t have to think at all on this trip,” Brinson promised.

Highlights of the trip include traveling to Pisa to see the famous leaning tower, the opportunity to see the famous Statue of David in Florence and other days in famous Italian cities. There will also be an option to travel to the town of Cinque Terre, an opportunity Lawley hopes everyone will take advantage of.

The trip is open to anyone who wants to go with prices ranging from $2,969-4,790 depending on what booking options you choose. Passports will be required but a visa is not. For more information or to reserve your spot in Tuscany, contact Deanna Lawley by calling (205) 338-7728 or email dnlawley@centurytel.net.