CHOICE HOTELS INTERNATIONAL announced the 2024 recipients of its "Your Community, Your Choice" grant, donating $75,000 to help hotel owners fund local nonprofits. This year marks the initiative's fifth anniversary, with $275,000 donated through more than 70 hotels across the U.S. since 2019.
The grants have supported food security, veteran aid, assistance for abuse and trafficking victims, youth education and animal shelters, Choice said in a statement.
“At Choice Hotels, we believe in the power of our hotels to be catalysts for positive change within their communities,” said Megan Brumagim, Choice’s vice president for upscale brands and chief sustainability officer. “We’re honored to celebrate the fifth year of the ‘Your Community, Your Choice’ program by supporting the impactful work of these nonprofits, whose efforts align with our commitment to build a better tomorrow, today.”
The 2024 nonprofit winners were nominated by Choice Hotels for their alignment with the organizations' work and mission in their communities. This year’s “Your Community, Your Choice” grant recipients include:
- Hilltop Community Resource Center: Nominated by Clarion Inn Grand Junction Airport, Grand Junction, Colorado. Support for community services for domestic violence victims and veterans.
- The Karing Home Youth Project: Nominated by Comfort Inn & Suites Gaylord, Gaylord, Michigan. Shelter and resources for homeless youth.
- SPCA of Southwest Michigan: Nominated by Radisson Plaza Hotel at Kalamazoo Center, Kalamazoo, Michigan. Support for animal welfare and adoption.
- South Michigan Food Bank/Kendall Street Pantry: Nominated by Quality Inn & Suites Next to the Casino, Battle Creek, Michigan. Addressing hunger by providing food to those in need.
- Youth in Need: Nominated by WoodSpring Suites St. Louis St. Charles, Saint Charles, Missouri. Support for youth and families through housing, education, and mental health services.
- Samaritan’s Purse: Nominated by Graystone Lodge, Ascend Hotel Collection, Boone, North Carolina. Assistance for Hurricane Helene recovery.
- InterAct: Nominated by MainStay Suites Raleigh North, Raleigh, North Carolina. Support for victims of domestic violence and assault.
- Kidz Kottage: Nominated by Comfort Suites Idabel, Idabel, Oklahoma. Services for children who have experienced abuse.
- I Would Rather Be Reading: Nominated by Cambria Hotel Louisville Downtown-Whiskey Row, Louisville, Kentucky. Promoting childhood literacy and social-emotional learning.
- Reclaiming Lives & Recovery Café: Nominated by Rodeway Inn Medford South I-5, Medford, Oregon. Support for individuals in addiction recovery.
- Families of Autism Coming Together: Nominated by Comfort Inn & Suites Virginia Beach – Norfolk Airport, Virginia Beach, Virginia. Services for families affected by autism.
- JCI La Crosse: Nominated by Radisson Hotel La Crosse, La Crosse, Wisconsin. Development opportunities for young people from underserved communities.
- Roots for Boots: Nominated by Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. Support for servicemen, women, veterans, and their families.
- United Way of East Tennessee Highlands: Nominated by Cambria Hotel Nashville Downtown. Assistance for Hurricane Helene disaster relief.
- The Children’s Shelter: Nominated by Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Lackland AFB, San Antonio, Texas. Shelter and services for children and families.
In July, the AHLA Foundation awarded $1 million to eight community-based organizations supporting human trafficking survivors at the third annual No Room for Trafficking Summit, held on July 30 in observance of United Nations World Day Against Trafficking in Persons.
Rep. Aaron Bean delivers keynote addressPhoto credit: AAHOA
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