In the Spirit of Giving, High Peaks Resort Selects 'Spring For Hope' Winners

LAKE PLACID, N.Y., Nov. 29, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- As we celebrate the holiday season, Spring For Hope(SM), the annual initiative by the High Peaks Resort in Lake Placid, NY to give back to the community, has announced the winners of its 2012 competition:  Cystic Fibrosis Foundation of Northeast NY, Creative Healing Connections/Homeward Bound Adirondacks, and The Trudeau Institute.

Each nonprofit organization, chosen for its unique contributions and for enhancing the quality of life in its community, will receive two nights accommodations and up to 133 guestrooms at High Peaks Resort, free use of 10,000 square feet of meeting space, free audiovisual and support services, and 50% reduction on related catering. 

"High Peaks Resort has a long term commitment to the Spring for Hope concept and is proud to offer gifts to our neighbors and add support to increase the good they do," said Bill DeForrest, President & CEO of Lane Hospitality, owner of the Resort.  "We received many quality applications from deserving organizations; the judges were torn so we made the decision to offer three gifts this year instead of the normal two, and will still offer two awards in 2013."

Spring for Hope judges included:

• Ted Blazer, President & CEO of Olympic Regional Development Authority (ORDA)
• Ruth Fantasia, longtime Features Editor of the Times Union, Albany, NY, and Human Resources Director for the publication;
• Pauline Frommer, noted syndicated newspaper columnist, WOR radio talk show host, and creator of "Pauline Frommer Guides";
• John W. Mills, PhD., President of Paul Smith's College – The College of the Adirondack Mountains
• Mark Quandt, Executive Director of the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York and winner of 2011 Spring for Hope
• Wayne West, Vice President of Hotel Performance for Lane Hospitality

This year's winners are:

• The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation of Northeast New York, a nonprofit donor-supported organization, serves 1,600 individuals with cystic fibrosis in New York State.  Seeking to cure cystic fibrosis and improve the quality of life for those with the disease, the organization plans to use its Spring for Hope gift for an 'Adirondack High Peaks Resort Great Stride' weekend of fun, fundraising and education.  Cystic fibrosis families and friends will come together to learn the latest developments in treating the disease, and the Foundation will hold its signature campaign with the Great Stride Walk.
• The Spring for Hope judges were equally impressed with Creative Healing Connections/Homeward Bound Adirondacks and their plans to use the Spring for Hope gift.  The two agencies serve military members and veterans by empowering them to heal and make a successful reintegration to civilian life.  More than 120 military service members and their families will come together at High Peaks for a weekend retreat of healing workshops and resiliency training designed to enhance coping skills and improve quality of life.
• The Trudeau Institute – which will use its Spring for Hope gift in 2014 – is a nonprofit biomedical research organization whose scientific discoveries lead to improved health around the world.  Its breakthrough research fosters the development of vaccines, treatments and cures for many threatening diseases including cancer and infectious diseases.  The Institute will use its gift to host an important international scientific conference to attract the world's top scientists.  They will meet to present data and discuss topics related to immunology and infectious diseases.

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

SOURCE High Peaks Resort