If you are thinking about providing accommodations at your resort and wonder what may be involved in hosting a charity that helps children and adults with special needs, this story will show you how two Bluegreen resorts have successfully completed this challenge.
In January 2010, Bluegreen’s Harbour Lights Resort in Myrtle Beach, S.C., hosted a group of wounded soldiers from Walter Reed Medical Hospital in Washington, D.C., who were receiving medical treatment. Some had spent many months, and even years at the hospital. To help with their healing process and provide a refreshing change of scenery, the trip was coordinated by the Scents for Soldiers organization. 

Explained Kathleen Palmer, general manager, “What began as a donation of a few rooms quickly mushroomed into an amazing effort by the resort’s team and local area businesses to show their appreciation and support for the visiting wounded warriors. About 20 veterans and their families stayed at the 324-unit resort for a full week. “

Given only a two-week notice of the group’s arrival, the Harbour Lights team of about 35 staff members zipped into action to create a truly memorable vacation experience for the incoming guests. Associates went to local businesses and resort vendors and reached out to obtain donations of souvenirs and snacks to place in the soldier’s rooms. The activities and maintenance departments voluntarily spent hours setting up the clubhouse for a welcome reception, ensuring the guest rooms were in perfect condition and placing all the donated items into the units. One office manager made separate cakes for all of the soldiers. They were placed in their units on the day of arrival.

The front desk staff created flyers, printed brochures and hung posters around the property to inform owners and guests about the event. Luggage was cheerfully delivered to the rooms and, as the soldiers arrived on property, staff members welcome them by cheering and waving American flags.

Administration contacted local veterans’ organizations, which offered support, and soon the word was out. What was initially thought to be a small welcome reception turned into a much larger event with over a hundred people including the news media.  This translated into the need for more food, traffic control and manpower, but everyone chipped in to help without any hesitation and remained for the cleanup.

Added Ting Chow-Choe, assistant general manager, “The joy on the faces of the soldiers and their families was an emotional moment for many of the staff members and they were eager to host a similar but smaller event a year later. It is not often that we have the opportunity to interact with the people we help and we were all proud to show our gratitude to these service members in our own small way.”

In its partnership with Deliver the Dream, a non-profit that aids families suffering from serious illness or crisis, Bluegreen’s Fountains Resort in Orlando hosted 12 families in September 2011 from the Tampa Pediatric Cancer Center with members who are suffering from a serious and basically incurable disease called sickle cell anemia.

Deliver the Dream organizes retreats and creates programs that enable families undergoing crisis or chronic illness to regain strength and mend their spirits. The program is free for families, due to donations and contributions from sponsors, partners and volunteers.

“After a year of planning and organizing, a small but mighty Fountains Resort team pulled off an amazing philanthropic retreat by welcoming these special families and providing them with an event they will long remember,” said Kristin Ingram, resort general manager. “It was a very memorable weekend for the families, our Bluegreen volunteers, our Fountains staff and everyone involved. It was the first time in our history that the resort had attempted such a complex event with 100 guests, which took place in multiple venues throughout the property over the course of a three-day weekend.”

For other resort managers considering hosting such a gathering, it is important to understand that the secret to success is in the planning. Explained Jennifer Frost, who served as primary coordinator for the retreat, “We scheduled the event for our lowest occupancy time and reserved 22 units for the families and volunteers, placing them in the same building and in close proximity to each other and the events. We had previously done weddings but nothing like this that required us to organize every function and take care of ALL their needs for three days. Water stations were placed at every function and we had to be cognizant of high temperatures so the children would not become overheated. Several vendors provided food items like Domino’s, which donated an entire pizza night, a massage therapist and American Title, which provided several meals.

Food and Beverage Manager Miguel Soto and Activities Manager Brandon Gamble teamed up to provide daily meals, a sports “field day,” family fun night, water activities, team-building events, arts and crafts projects and lessons from an acting coach. The children enjoyed a costume dance party while the parents relaxed in the presidential suite with coffee, desserts and chair massages. “Hope the Bear” (a full-sized cuddly character) surprised the little ones by tucking them into bed with a special goodnight hug. 

Concluded Jennifer, “We serve people on vacation every day, but this was different. These families never get a vacation because the kids are always sick and often in the hospital for blood transfusions. They were so appreciative of the accommodations and time they spent with us, telling us it was the best time of their lives. They were also happy to share experiences with families in similar situation and the opportunity to meet others with the same disease. Some had never been on a vacation in their life. “

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Marge Lennon is owner of Lennon Communications Group, Inc., in Fort Myers, Florida. She can be contacted for more information at (239) 482-3891 or by e-mail at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . www.lennoncommunications.com