Chesapeake Hospitality Employees Raise $25,000 For Give Kids The World Foundation

GREENBELT, Md., Nov. 20, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Chesapeake Hospitality, one of the country's fastest growing third-party hotel management companies, has raised a total of $25,000 to donate to Give Kids the World (GKTW), an international nonprofit organization that provides cost-free Orlando vacations to children with life-threatening illnesses. Kim Sims, president of Chesapeake Hospitality, made the announcement.

More than 1,500 employees contributed to the organization through various giving opportunities—including Chesapeake's voluntary payroll deduction plan allowing employees to transfer contributed donations directly from their paychecks. Other efforts included cash donations and creative employee-led fundraisers at the company's hotels nationally, including a Valentine's Day campaign at the Crowne Plaza Houston, where team members sold gift-boxed chocolate covered strawberries and heart shaped cookies on a stick. Other creative fundraising initiatives included the team at the company's Hilton Wilmington hotel decorating an ice cream push cart and handing out ice cream at the city's Riverwalk in exchange for donations.

"We are honored that our team members have exceeded our expectations and continue to rise to the occasion to raise funds and impactful awareness for this great organization," said Sims. "Our employees' generosity has been astounding—with 18 percent of all employees participating in our payroll deduction program. In addition, the Sheraton Louisville had 100 percent of its employees making donations through this system. The remainder of our team generously donated cash, their time and their talents to make this year's initiative a success. Give Kids The World is an organization that we believe strongly in at all levels and it has become part of the fabric of Chesapeake Hospitality."

To further encourage employee engagement, Sims arranged to fly 20 of the company's hotel team members to Florida to visit the GKTW village in September, which provided a rare, first-hand glimpse of the impact that the organization has on children and their families.

"This experience was life-changing for everyone who had the opportunity to see the joy on the faces of the children as they ordered banana splits and the relief on the faces of parents as they watched their children excitedly go for a ride on a pony in the warm sunshine," said Sims. "Those special moments helped cement within each of us the difference that GKTW makes in the lives of sick children and their families."

This year's fundraising efforts nearly doubled last year's total. Chesapeake Hospitality is planning to expand upon this notable charitable giving success in years to come. In 2013, the company will lead a new group of property ambassadors to volunteer at the village.

Headquartered in Greenbelt, Md., just outside of Washington, D.C., Chesapeake Hospitality is a mid-sized, third-party hotel management company with a proven track record in both full- and select-service hotels. Ranked in the top 50 largest independent operators, the company manages properties under the Hilton, Starwood and InterContinental Hotel Group brand families. For additional information, visit the company's website: www.chesapeakehospitality.com.

SOURCE Chesapeake Hospitality