‘Tis the season for spring breaks, planning summer vacations and as the weather begins to warm up, many people will be crafting their next getaway. Particularly in American culture, vacations are synonymous with relaxation and rest from grueling everyday habitual tasks. For others it a way to just change the scenery or do something less mundane. For those whom inspire change but desire to also make a difference, an alternative exists: the volunteer vacation.

The Pacific Northwest is well known for being an environmentalist’s haven; with its lush greenery and beautiful coastline, it is an area whose metropolises are renowned for being regional leaders in sustainable and “green” practices. A contributor who further reinforces this reputation is Burgerville, a chain of restaurants spread around Oregon and Washington states, that has been serving food with locally-sourced ingredients for nearly fifty years.

Their mission, cut down to three little words, is “Serve with Love”. Under that umbrella is the promise that the stewards of Burgerville will deliver fresh and local products, commit to sustainable practices, and follow through on their assurance of top-notch service.