At First in Service, we believe that travel is more than visiting new places, it’s about connecting with people, experiences, and communities in meaningful ways. One of the most important of these connections is giving back.
In that spirit, F1S Helps was born in 2013 as our way of joining together as a community to support those in need. Over the years, we’ve partnered with organizations whose missions we believe in—whether that meant traveling to rural villages in Colombia to deliver school supplies or spending time reading to children in New York City through the Pajama Program. It’s never just been about raising funds; it’s been about showing up, sharing time, and making a difference together.
In October 2024, F1S Helps was officially established as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, affirming our long-standing commitment to service and social responsibility. Our mission is simple yet profound: to make a positive impact on the lives of individuals, children, and communities through education, travel, and support.
As a registered charitable foundation, F1S Helps exists exclusively to support programs, initiatives, partnerships, and activities that foster opportunity, broaden horizons, and strengthen communities. Whether close to home or across the globe, we remain dedicated to building bridges, creating opportunities, and working together as a team to leave the world a little better than we found it.
Sofia Gonzalez, Fernando’s daughter, serves as the company’s Children’s Ambassador—and is integral in F1S Helps initiatives.
Other organizations we’ve supported in the past include Food Bank for New York, Operation Backpack, The Thirst Project and Covenant House. We have also made it our mission to donate to national and international relief organizations doing work following natural disasters, such as Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico and the wildfires in Northern California.
Over the years, we have traveled hundreds of miles, donated many hours and have seen firsthand the importance of doing our small part to make the world a better place.
We support multiple charities each year. If there is an organization that is close to your heart that should be on our radar, we’d love to hear about it. Learn more about F1S Helps, including how we can help support your organization, by contacting Suzanne Halama.
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During this pandemic, F1S remains focused on supporting charities as food scarcity has been a struggle more than ever:
Meals on Wheels America: as of November 2020, F1S Helps raised almost $800 for Meals on Wheels America, supporting older Americans during these uncertain times.
Past F1S Helps Initiatives:
