Young, ambitious, and vibrant Becky Straw discusses charity, travel, The Adventure Project and why naughty-or-nice, your stocking should be full of coal.

Tell us about The Adventure Project.
The Adventure Project is a new non-profit established to increase investments in positive social enterprises around the world. Our first initiative is trying to prevent respiratory illnesses, which surprisingly is the number one cause of death in children under five-years-old. Instead of providing medicine, our answer is a charcoal-efficient stove.  

Tell us about the coal stocking stuffer.
We believe giving should be fun. So we came up with the idea to sell lumps of coal as a way to raise money for charcoal efficient stoves. For every $20 box of coal you buy, you help one family living in a tent camp in Haiti receive a stove. It’s the perfect stocking stuffer for anyone on your list, naughty or nice. 

How have your experiences with the charities you support changed your outlook on your own life?
I've worked for numerous charities and spent a great deal of time throughout Africa and Haiti. My outlook has mainly been shaped by my travels to remote villages and displacement camps. I noticed that no matter where I went, everyone said the same thing, "Thank you so much for your gift. But what I really want is a job." I've learned that everyone wants the same things as you and me: A chance to earn a living, raise a healthy family, and to be part of a community. I helped start The Adventure Project with that outlook in mind.

Favorite NYC charity event?
I spent the last three years helping to launch charity: water, an organization dedicated to giving clean and safe water to people in developing nations. They throw the best charity: ball every December.  Hands down.

Travel Destination?
Kenya if you want amazing coffee and the ability to yell, “Giraffe!” from your car.  If you want to go off the beaten track a bit, Sierra Leone, West Africa. It’s a beautiful country with a rich history.