2007 Press Releases
CHIP Hospitality's Friends in Need program contributes over $76,000 to community charities across Canada
VANCOUVER, BC (January 23, 2007) - CHIP Hospitality's seventh annual Friends in Need holiday promotion has raised over $76,000 for local charities across Canada.
Running during the December holiday period, the annual Friends In Need promotion offered travellers discounted room rates at 31 hotels across Canada with $10 from each night's stay going to community charities. The program was launched nationally in 2000 by CHIP Hospitality (www.GreatCanadianHotels.com) and runs at all hotels managed by the company. Dozens of charitable and community organizations have benefited from over $676,000 raised over the past seven years.
Twenty-three charities were earmarked by individual hotels as partners for Friends in Need 2006, including Access AIDS in Sault St. Marie, Canadian Red Cross in Saskatoon, and Noel des enfants in Quebec City.
"The Red Cross designates the funds for disaster response. For example, in the case of a house fire where the structure badly damaged or completely burned, we provide the family with food, shelter and clothing for the first 72 hours, which is a tremendous time of need for people who have suffered a devastating loss," says Chriss Gates, Region Director for the Canadian Red Cross in Saskatoon. "The Friends In Need funds helps our community know that the Canadian Red Cross can be there in a time of need."
The Friends in Need program is part of CHIP Hospitality's "Hotels with Heart" initiative for giving back to its communities. "Our company is enjoying its success in no small part due to the support of the communities where we own and manage hotels, and this is one way that we can give support back to those communities," says Ed Pitoniak, CHIP Hospitality President and CEO. "Since the program's launch, CHIP Hospitality associates have embraced Friends in Need with enthusiasm, and have committed themselves to its success. The program provides good value for our guests while raising money for local charities."
2006 was an outstanding year for CHIP Hospitality. Not only did the company finish the year strongly with Friends in Need, it was awarded a Pinnacle Award for Company of the Year in 2006. The Pinnacle Awards are the foodservice and hospitality industry's only national recognition program. The company was recognized for its impact on the industry, significant innovations and accomplishments and community spirit. CHIP Hospitality is the first real estate income trust to win a Pinnacle Award since their inception in 1994. The company has provided strong economic returns for its investors and pioneered a number of innovative business and community outreach programs.
SilverBirch is one of Canada's leading hotel management companies and currently manages and asset manages 35 hotels and resorts across Canada. The company manages independent hotels and hotels operating under major franchise brands, such as Crowne Plaza, Radisson, Residence Inn by Marriott, Holiday Inn, Hilton, Quality, Gouverneur, Best Western and Ramada. SilverBirch is fully owned by British Columbia Investment Management Corporation ("bcIMC"), a Canadian leader in investment funds management that is based in Victoria, British Columbia (www.bcimc.com).
NOTE TO EDITORS: Photo available upon request.
For more information, please contact:
Deirdre Campbell
Tartan Public Relations
Telephone: (250) 592-3838 or (250) 892-9199
deirdre@tartanpr.com
Holly Peterson
Marketing Manager
SilverBirch
Telephone: (604) 646-8787 or (604) 512-9198
hpeterson@silverbirchhotels.com