High Peaks Resort Selects 'Spring For Hope' Recipients: WCNY and Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York

LAKE PLACID, N.Y., Nov. 17, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- With Spring For Hope(SM) a unique approach to give back to the community, High Peaks Resort in Lake Placid, NY announces the selection of two outstanding organizations: The Public Broadcasting Council of Central New York (WCNY) located in the Syracuse metro area, and the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York in the Albany area.  Both were chosen based on contributions to their communities and will receive free use of High Peaks Resort and its features including luxury accommodations, meeting space, and recreational amenities.

Spring For Hope is an opportunity open to 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations actively supporting the community and fundraising.  The grand prizes provide two nights' accommodations (up to 133 rooms), free meeting space (up to 10,000 square feet), free audiovisual and support services, and 50% reduction of all related catering for three days between April 8 and 18, 2012.  

High Peaks Resort thanks the Spring for Hope judges including Ted Blazer, President & CEO of Olympic Regional Development Authority (ORDA); Pauline Frommer, syndicated newspaper columnist and WOR radio talk show host; Truett Martin, Vice President of Hotel Performance for Lane Hospitality and partner in High Peaks Resort; John W. Mills, PhD., President of Paul Smith's College – The College of the Adirondack Mountains; Congressman Bill Owens, U.S. Representative for New York's 23rd congressional district, and Benita Zahn, co-anchor of Albany's WNYT News Channel 13.

"We received many quality applications from deserving non-profit organizations around the country," said Bill DeForrest, President & CEO of Lane Hospitality, owner of High Peaks.  "The Spring for Hope selected organizations' impact on their local communities is considerable.  In the spirit of giving back, we are pleased to honor them and how they have greatly enhanced the quality of life in their communities."

WCNY, the public station for Central New York, has been broadcasting a wide range of programming for residents in over one-third of New York State for 46 years.  It was chosen for its creativity and success in producing diverse programming with little national PBS or government support.  Using a substantial volunteer base, WCNY impressed the judges with its outstanding efforts to minimize use of government and public funding, instead developing self-sustaining revenue, a difficult and complicated undertaking.

WCNY plans on using High Peaks Resort to support solicitation efforts from donors more distant from its historical service area, and complete fundraising efforts for its long-planned Broadcast & Education Center, taking WCNY to an even higher level of community service.  

Said Robert J. Daino, President & CEO of WCNY, "WCNY is extremely appreciative of this opportunity to use the beautiful High Peaks Resort to show how much we value our viewers and listeners from more distant points in our service area.  During our time with them at High Peaks, we'll get to know them better, introduce them to the future of WCNY, and engage them in our ongoing process to build a more connected community across the 19 counties we serve."

Spring for Hope judges were equally impressed with the considerable support provided by Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York, which includes over 1,000 agencies in numerous counties.  The sheer volume of food that the organization handles and large number of people it feeds are remarkable.  The Food Bank also has a large volunteer base, even running its own farm to increase distribution to keep up with growing need.  The organization plans to use High Peaks for fundraising, community outreach, agency training, and strategic planning sessions to widen its support.

According to Mark Quandt, Executive Director of the Regional Food Bank, "We are thrilled with this award – especially getting the call right before Thanksgiving makes it very special.  One of the greatest benefits this gift will provide is the opportunity to become better known in the Adirondack area, generating additional support from businesses and individuals.  We want everyone to know we're here to help, ready to provide food and services to agencies and hungry people."

Added DeForrest, "We look forward to continuing this effort every year, making Spring for Hope our annual gift to our neighbors from High Peaks Resort."

About High Peaks Resort

High Peaks Resort, the Adirondacks' newest AAA Four Diamond resort, has quickly become a favorite family destination.  In addition, the beautiful High Peaks conference facility with expansive meeting space and latest in conference-support technology is making the Resort a preferred destination for meetings and conferences throughout the region.  Located in the heart of Lake Placid, overlooking Mirror Lake and steps from historic Main Street, the entire Resort will be made available to these two worthy non-profit organizations.  

For Spring for Hope information, visit www.springforhope.net; for High Peaks Resort, contact 1-800-755-5598 or www.highpeaksresort.com.

SOURCE High Peaks Resort