upping the reward ante

Hacienda Tres Rios Resort, Spa & Nature Park, Riviera Maya, México  has added (2) one hour massages to the already kick you-know-what two night, Endless Luxury, all-inclusive stay they donated. The value of the two night stay is $1440 without the two massages and it's available with a $695 pledge to The Global Citizen Project. Hello, deal! Here are the details about the stay - and yes, I've stayed here and can whole-heartedly recommend it.

Chef/owner Michael Jones of Cachagua General Store in Carmel Valley, CA has also thrown something pretty awesome into the reward mix. Michael has already pledged TGCP, rallied his entire family to pledge TGCP, rallied friends near and far to pledge TGCP and donated dinner for two at his restaurant. Tonight, he offered up dinner for two , including wine from Dan Lee of Morgan Winery fame for anyone who pledges $100 or more. If you can get to Carmel Valley, I cannot recommend Michael's restaurant enough. It's more than a meal - it's an experience, and if you're a foodie, one not to be missed. Here's everything you need to know about why the Store is my fave restaurant on the Monterey Peninsula - and well beyond the (831) area code.

Big huge thanks to Hacienda Tres Rios and Michael Jones for believing in my project and for sweetening some already sweets deals.

118 backers, $9,310 and 18 days to go. thank you.

It's getting down to the fundraising wire, but the pledge love keeps pouring in. Please keep the momentum going, even if you can only give a few bucks, because it all helps towards the bigger $20,000/February 22 deadline.

Thanks go out today to:

Lori Nudy, a dear childhood/family friend, we actually grew up right across the street from each other on Tory Hollow Rd. in Berwyn, PA.

Kelly Nix, A-Team journalist for the Carmel Pine Cone, all-around great guy, proud papa of one of the cutest baby girls you will ever see.

Karen Berliner, a woman I admire and adore, she handles life's adversities with enviable grace, plus she has a heart of gold. I'm grateful to have crossed paths with Karen in St. Kitts.

Brooke Schoenman, kind-hearted gal I crossed paths with today on Twitter. You can follow Brooke's adventures on her blog here or on Twitter here.

Annie Arroyo, Brand Director behind Hacienda Tres Rios, one of my fave all-inclusive boutique properties, located on the Mexican Riviera Maya. Before you scratch your head - yes! - HTR defies all stereotypes that boutique hotels and all-inclusive programs can successfully co-exist.

Raquel Segura a very cool woman I've enjoyed getting to know via Twitter, also owner of AiresLibre personal travel. You can follow Raquel on Twitter here.

Thank you all 118 backers who have pledged The Global Citizen Project -- I couldn't do this without you.
XO