Meeting Groups Connect Through Community Service at The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island

AMELIA ISLAND, FL--(Marketwired - May 9, 2014) - When Meeting Planners leave site tours at The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island they are often thinking about the commendable Ambassador that is at their service. Ms. Cindy Heeter is exactly that and more. Cindy serves on property as a group's dedicated point-of-contact for community service projects also known as VolunTeaming projects. 

Community service projects have proven to be effective engagers and build team camaraderie. "The challenge is programs start in the local community and that's difficult for a meeting planner to coordinate from their home market," says James E. McManemon, General Manager of The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island. To assist planners, Cindy Heeter was appointed VolunTeaming Ambassador at our Amelia Island resort to build relationships with local non-profits to better align them with the budget, philosophy and time allotment of each contributing corporate group. The effort has worked for both small and large scale groups. 

In April 2014, Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island VolunTeaming team worked with Diania Ciresi, Community Relations Manager for Texas Road House restaurants, to implement their annual Humanitarian Day for 1,000 store managers, corporate office personnel and vendor partners. "Our annual Community Service objective is to include diverse projects that touch different factions of lifestyles and interests and Cindy Heeter found the partner mix we feel best reflects our philosophy," says Ciresi. The neighboring organizations that benefited from the contributions of over $110,000 included:

Barnabas Center - 3,000 Food Backpacks for Kids against Hunger Campaign
YMCA PrYme Time - Constructing classroom space to a community after school program
City of Fernandina Park & Recreation - Installing sod for Peck Center soccer field, plus new pavilion
Nassau Humane Society - Dog Park enhancements and new kennel bedding
Council on Aging - Porch enhancements at Senior Center
USO - 150 bikes assembled for military families
Gracie's Kitchen - Soup kitchen in Yulee
Wine to Water - International food and water purification systems

The program was deemed a success by all parties involved. "Texas Roadhouse Humanitarian Day leaves a legacy of community service that will be long remembered," adds James E. McManemon, General Manager of The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island.

For more information and reservations, please call 904-277-1100 or visit www.ritzcarlton.com/ameliaisland.

About The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island: The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island is Northeast Florida's premier oceanfront resort. Known for its unique natural beauty and warm Southern charm, this luxury resort is home to the award-winning restaurant, Salt, and The Ritz-Carlton Spa, Amelia Island, named one of the top spas in the world by the readers of Condé Nast Traveler. Featured amenities include three pools, on-site golf, fitness center, tennis, children's recreational programs, and 446 guest rooms with private balcony and a view of the Atlantic coastline. For reservations, please call The Ritz-Carlton toll-free at [phone] or visit www.ritzcarlton.com/ameliaisland. For information on The Ritz-Carlton Company visit www.ritzcarlton.com.

The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C. of Chevy Chase, MD, currently operates 85 hotels in the Americas, Europe, Asia, Middle East, Africa, and the Caribbean. More than 30 hotel and residential projects are under development around the globe. The Ritz-Carlton is the only service company to have twice earned the prestigious Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award which recognizes outstanding customer service. For more information or reservations, contact a travel professional, call toll free in the U.S. [phone], or visit the company website at www.ritzcarlton.com. The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Marriott International, Inc. (NYSE: MAR).

Contact:
Joe Murphy
Director of Public Relations
4750 Amelia Island Parkway
Amelia Island, FL 32034
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Email: Email Contact