FREEPORT, MAINE—Travelers came to Maine in record numbers this May to take advantage of greatly reduced room rates and support Habitat for Humanity, according to Greg Dugal, executive director of the Maine Innkeepers Assn. (MEIA) The eighth annual Hospitality for Habitat, a program designed by MEIA to raise funds for Maine chapters of Habitat for Humanity, took in $15,475, beating last year’s total by more than $2,000, to help build homes for Maine families.
Thirty-four MEIA member properties, from B&B’s to resorts, located all over the state of Maine, participated in Hospitality for Habitat this year, offering visitors to the state a 50 percent discount on room rates in May in exchange for a donation check for $35 made out to Habitat for Humanity.
“Each year we are grateful that this program continues to grow and we are able to support such a worthy cause,” Dugal said. “We are delighted that visitors appreciate the opportunity to support Maine while on vacation and that we are able to attract tourists to the state with discounted rates during what has traditionally been a slow season.”
The top fund-raiser, Village by the Sea Hotel & Conference Center in Wells, raised more than $5,000 in contributions from their guests, followed by The Beachmere Inn in Ogunquit with $2,945 and Newcastle Inn in Newcastle with $1.725.
“The Village by the Sea staff loves being involved with this great fund-raiser each year,” says Gail Phillips, general manager/CFO at Village by the Sea Hotel and Conference Center. “Our guests have embraced the notion of giving back to the community while they enjoy the beautiful state of Maine and we have been delighted to be part of Hospitality for Habitat for the last four years. We take pride in donating money to such a worthy cause and are pleased that the proceeds go directly to local Habitat chapters in the state of Maine. As always, we look forward to continuing to support Hospitality for Habitat in May 2012 and strive to raise more money each year.”
Go to MEIA and Habitat for Humanity.
