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."
A few such "Give Back Getaways" examples are:
The Ritz-Carlton Club, St. Thomas
The Club embraces efforts to preserve the island's habitat through Walking Among the Mangroves. 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. Then, they work in the mangrove nursery by planting seedlings or transplanting juvenile trees.
The Ritz-Carlton Club and Residences, San Francisco
The property is committed to assisting Glide Memorial Methodist Church to serve meals to the homeless, elderly and underprivileged. Members and employees partake in this 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 Club can participate in activities such as a "Build Day" with Habitat for Humanity or maintaining a national forest trail. The society was founded to help disadvantaged children develop life skills.
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 landfill sites, the property has designated two miles of an Adopt-a-Highway section on Highway 82. Participants clean up debris along the road and the Roaring Fork River. Afterwards, there is a group lunch, where volunteers can socialize and share memories of their day.
