Press Room
THE RITZ-CARLTON CLUB LAUNCHES “GIVE BACK GETAWAYS” New Volunteer Program for Club Members
New Volunteer Program for Club Members
ORLANDO, Fla. – June 18, 2008 – The industry’s leading fractional ownership brand – The Ritz-Carlton Club – now provides Members with the opportunity to volunteer their time and contribute to the local community in which they vacation. “Give Back Getaways” is a new initiative created by The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, LLC through its social and environmental responsibility program, Community Footprints. Working side-by-side with family, friends and the Ladies and Gentlemen of The Ritz-Carlton Club, Members will receive rich and inspiring experiences while making a positive impact in the lives of others.
“Many Members are actively involved in volunteerism in their own hometowns, but also wish to make a difference where their second homes are located,” said Peter J. Watzka, executive vice president and chief operating officer for The Ritz-Carlton Development Company, Inc. (an affiliate of The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, LLC). “‘Give Back Getaways’ is a unique program bringing Members and our own Ladies and Gentlemen together to make lasting contributions in our local communities.”
The properties have developed a program tailored to each Club’s destination. These half-day, community events are focused on one of the three pillars of Community Footprints
- Child welfare
- Feeding the hungry
- Preserving the environment
A few such “Give Back Getaways” examples are as follows:
The Ritz-Carlton Club, St. Thomas
The Ritz-Carlton Club, St. Thomas embraces efforts to preserve the island’s habitat through a program called Walking Among the Mangroves. Working with the Environmental Association of St. Thomas and St. John, volunteers begin with a tour of the mangroves and salt ponds to learn how the trees protect the islands from erosion and storm surges, and provide a safe haven for underwater life in its submerged roots. Then, they work in the mangrove nursery by planting seedlings or transplanting juvenile mangroves. This effort ensures the beauty of the Virgin Islands is treasured and preserved.
The Ritz-Carlton Club and Residences, San Francisco
The Ritz-Carlton Club and Residences, San Francisco is committed to assisting Glide Memorial Methodist Church to serve meals to the homeless, elderly and underprivileged. Members and employees partake in this important cause by volunteering to support Glide’s mission of serving meals in an atmosphere of respect, acceptance and love. In fact, the organization has been known to serve as many as 5,000 meals within an eight-hour period.
The Ritz-Carlton Club, Bachelor Gulch
In collaboration with the youth organization, Snowboard Outreach Program, Members and employees at The Ritz-Carlton Club, Bachelor Gulch can participate in activities such as a “Build Day” with Habitat for Humanity, maintaining a national forest trail or another local community program. The society was founded in 1993 in Colorado’s Vail Valley to help disadvantaged children develop important life skills through snow sports, mentoring and a time-proven curriculum based on the five core values: courage, discipline, integrity, wisdom and compassion.
The Ritz-Carlton Club, Aspen Highlands
With the average American producing 1,600 pounds of trash each year and about an eighth of the trash not making it to the appropriate land fill sites, The Ritz-Carlton Club, Aspen Highlands has designated two miles of an Adopt-a-Highway section on Highway 82. Participants honor where they vacation by cleaning up debris along the road and the Roaring Fork River. This contribution keeps the river clean for animals, fish, rafters and kayakers, and protects the mountain town of Aspen. Afterwards, there is a group lunch, where volunteers can socialize and share memories of their day.
Members can volunteer for “Give Back Getaways” activities by contacting The Ritz-Carlton Club’s Member Services team.
About The Ritz-Carlton Club
The Ritz-Carlton Club is a deeded, fractional ownership real estate offering combining the benefits of second home ownership with personalized Ritz-Carlton services and amenities. Designed as a private club, Members have the opportunity to access their luxuriously-appointed home Club or other Ritz-Carlton Clubs through reciprocal use privileges in accordance with reservation procedures. Members also have the ability to utilize additional time as available. For information, please visit www.ritzcarltonclub.com.
