Philanthropy

As part of their community outreach program, Sunset World Resorts & Vacation Experiences has donated supplies to local fire stations in Cancun.

The supplies included sheets, comforters, pillow cases, dishes, and other household items. These items will help outfit the local dormitories at seven stations in Cancun, Puerto Morelos, and Leona Vicario.

The donation was presented by Sunset World’s Corporate Director of Brand and PR to the local Firefighter’s Association’s Board of Trustees. The board was extremely grateful for the timeshare company’s generous gift.

General Director of the local Firefighter’s Association, Tomas Hurtado said,

“We are grateful for Sunset World’s generosity in improving the living conditions for our 144 heroic firefighters and our very important institution. Six months ago we had nothing, not even bedspreads. But now thanks to our hotel industry friends we have been able to equip our installations with what we need. We look forward to receiving other needed items, such as furniture, through contributions from wonderful companies like Sunset World.”

Sunset World Resorts & Vacation Experiences is a leading resort group with locations across Cancun and Mexico. Specializing in timeshare properties, they are experts in providing a second home to travelers. When they’re not saving lives, the firefighters will now be able to enjoy their time at the stations.

For more information on Sunset World, visit SellMyTimeshareNow.com.

On April 22nd, Orange Lake Resorts donated a $20,000 check to Easter Seals Florida, an adult day health care program. This generous contribution will help adults with cognitive disorders or disabilities.

Donna Chun, Orange Lake Resorts’ director of corporate social responsibility efforts, presented the check to Easter Seals. As it was also National Jelly Bean Day, Chun provided plush toys and jelly beans to attendees.

Chun said, “Plush toys bring a sense of comfort to adults with dementia and Alzheimer’s. While we know donations make critical services possible, we also wanted to do something special for the people in the program.”

This contribution from Orange Lake Resorts, a segment of Holiday Inn Club Vacations, will make an enormous difference to the Easter Seals organization. Located in Orlando, Easter Seals Florida offers a variety of service to assist families in Central Florida. Besides the adult day care program, they provide an Adult Residential Group Home, child development centers, camp challenges, and educational programs. During the adult day program, participants work together in therapeutic activities and a full-multi sensory curriculum. These activities promote independence and socialization for day program members.

VP of development for Easter Seals Florida, Michael Slaymaker shared,

“Thank you so much for the generous gift to Easter Seals Florida. It will help us provide direct services for children, adults, seniors and veterans with disabilities and special needs at Easter Seals Day Break at the Miller Center, an adult day health care center, and Camp Challenge. Our Day Break members who deal with dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and other disabilities truly enjoyed being part of the check presentation. The celebration of National Jelly Bean Day made it a bit sweeter as well.”

To learn more about Easter Seals Florida, visit EasterSeals.com.

Today, Christel House International announced that they have elected RCI President Gordon Gurnik to its Board. Through his experience with RCI, Gurnik brings a practiced business prospective to the charity group. Having worked with the organization multiple times in the past, Gurink has already assisted with many Christel House events. He will make a great addition to the Board.

Christel House International is a non-profit organization committed to helping impoverished children. By providing “a hand-up” to children around the world Christel House is working to break the cycle of poverty.

Founder and CEO of Christel House, Christel DeHaan says, “Gordon has a wonderful ability to combine vision and practical implementation. He is a great addition to our board and I look much forward to working with him.”

Since 1987, Gurnik has helped to transform the RCI-and the industry-to become the innovative brand that it is today. He was influential in developing RCI’s points program, The Registry Collection, and modernizing the RCI Weeks program.

Gordon Gurnik shared, “Since its inception, Christel House has been committed to supporting our communities and investing in the future, which is why we are such ardent supporters. Its mission of breaking the cycle of poverty across the world through investing in children is helping to shape a brighter tomorrow. Christel House is important to RCI and to me personally, which is why I am so honored to join its Board.”

To learn more about Christel House International, visit ChristelHouse.org.

To celebrate the world of hospitality, the National Association for Catering and Events (NACE) has announced the 2014 Grand Tour Gala charity fundraiser. The event will be held on November 1st at the Hilton Orlando Resort on International Drive.

At the Grand Tour Gala, the Orlando Chapter of NACE will present its 2014 Dick Pope Legacy Awards. This year’s recipients include Steven Hogan, CEO of Florida Citrus Sports; Richard Kessler, Chairman and CEO, Kessler Hotel Group; Adrian Jones, General Manager of Legoland^® Florida and VP Merlin Entertainments USA; and Chef Emeril Lagasse, Celebrity Chef and Host of TV’s Emeril’s Florida.

The Dick Pope Legacy Awards, in honor of Dick Pope Sr., honor the leaders of Florida’s tourism and hospitality industries. Dick Pope was the founder of Cypress Gardens in Winter Haven Florida in 1936. Cypress Gardens was the first park attraction in Florida and a major source of tourism revenue after World War II.

Professor at The University of Central Florida Rosen College of Hospitality Management, CSEP, CPCE, and The Grand Tour Gala executive producer Dr. Mary Jo Ross shared, “We are thrilled to recognize these outstanding honorees, who not only excel in their executive roles for their own companies but also provide exemplary leadership in our hospitality industry, in the areas of sporting events, attractions, hotels and culinary experiences.”

The event is also a great scholarship opportunity for Hospitality students. Since the first Grand Tour Gala in 2011, the charity has provided over $180,000 in student grants and scholarships. Recipients include students from the NACE Educational Foundation, the Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association Educational Foundation, and the University of Central Florida (UCF) Rosen College of Hospitality in Orlando.

This year’s Gala will feature a London theme. Guests will enjoy British food and live theater entertainment. To raise funds for the scholarships, donations will be collected through a silent auction. Students from the UCF Rosen College of Hospitality Management will also attend to offer concierge services to gala guests.

President of the Orlando Chapter of NACE, Patricia Buchanan said, “NACE is excited to have the UCF students play such an important role in this event, as they are the future of our industry.”

For more information, visit GrandTourGala.com. For sponsorship details, contact Patricia Buchanan at [email protected] or by phone at (407) 383-2132.