Crestline Hotels & Resorts’ Team Performs 145 “Acts of Service” in 75 Days

FAIRFAX, VA – March 8, 2016 – In honor of reaching the milestone of 100 managed hotels across the U.S., Crestline’s management team challenged their corporate and hotel associates to participate in 100 “Acts of Service” between December 1, 2015 and February 14, 2016.  In just 75 days, associates not only rose to the challenge but surpassed the goal by completing 145 “Acts of Service”—helping to better communities across the country.

“When we threw down the challenge we knew our associates would embrace the effort, as Crestline’s success is driven by our culture of service and community involvement,” said James Carroll, President & CEO of Crestline. “What we didn’t expect was the absolute zeal and creativity that our associates exhibited in reaching out to those in need.  Each hotel participated in a unique way, and we are truly humbled and overjoyed by the results.”

When the challenge was issued, the concept was to have one hotel recognized with a $1,000 award to celebrate their efforts.  Due to the overwhelmingly creative and heartfelt response of the Crestline associates it became difficult to choose only one winner, and ultimately a decision was made to award three Crestline teams for their extraordinary efforts.  The winning associates are being recognized for the following:

Hampton Inn Medford:  General Manager Kelli LaVerda and her team initiated “Boots on the Ground.”  LaVerda and her associates reached out to those in need by preparing what they called “blessing bags” filled with items such as toiletries, warm socks, and other life essentials.  These blessing bags were then personally delivered along with a hot breakfast to those in need on the streets of Medford, OR.  (Photo attached:  Vicki Denfeld, EVP for Crestline Hotels & Resorts, presents award to Kelli LaVerda, GM of the Hampton Inn Medford and her team.)

SpringHill Suites North Grand Rapids:   General Manager Rachel Crowther and her team decided to focus on one needy family which had recently immigrated to Grand Rapids from a refugee camp in Africa.  While thankful to be in the U.S. and have jobs, they were still in need of help.  They spoke little English and the family of five, including three young children, were having trouble adjusting to their new surroundings.  The associates of the SpringHill Suites “adopted” the family helping them celebrate both Thanksgiving and Christmas, and even providing a first visit from Santa—something the family’s children had never experienced.

The Crestline Corporate Team:   Vice President of Revenue Management/Brand Oversight Pam Garcia, led the “Crestline Merry Band of Crocheters.”  Recruited from Crestline’s corporate headquarters in Fairfax and Virginia Beach, VA, as well as those working remotely around the country, this band of do-gooders crocheted, knitted, and hand-tied hats, scarves and booties to keep those in need warm this winter.  Their beautiful handiwork was distributed throughout the Hampton Roads area of Virginia and in Atlanta, Georgia, which is the location of Crestline’s 100th managed hotel, the Hyatt House Atlanta Cobb Galleria.

Crestline regularly supports communities with associate service days throughout the year. “The ‘100 Acts of Service’ was so successful, that we are planning on making this an annual event for our hotels,” added Carroll.  “In fact, with our current stream of growth, we will definitely plan on expanding the breadth of our service in 2016.”