I didn't see this anywhere and figured some of you folks are doing this anyway, so you might as well get rewarded for it:
NEW YORK -- Some 50 hotels across the country are giving away a free night to guests who can prove that they completed at least eight hours of community service between July 1 and Dec. 20.
To qualify, you must provide a letter on the nonprofit organization's letterhead proving that you've completed the volunteer work at a 501c3 organization such as Meals on Wheels or Habitat for Humanity.
The hotels, all managed by Sage Hospitality, include The Nines in Portland, Ore., The Blackstone in Chicago and the Sheraton Tucson Hotel and Suites in Arizona.
The room must be reserved at least 48 hours before arrival. Guests must pay taxes for the room. Blackout dates apply and there are a limited number of rooms available at each hotel.
Other participating hotels include the Sheraton Tempe in Arizona; the Courtyard Monrovia, Courtyard San Diego, and homewood suites Brisbane in California; the Courtyard Denver, hilton Garden Inn Denver and Residence Inn Denver; the hilton Garden Inn, Orlando, Fla.; the doubletree Atlanta; the Sheraton Chicago NW; the Courtyard Brighton, Detroit; the Fairfield Inn Duluth in Minnesota; the Sheraton Kansas City in Missouri; the Holiday Inn Omaha in Nebraska; the Fairfield Inn Las Vegas; the Marriott Charlotte in North Carolina; the Fairfield Inn Cincinnati North; the Courtyard Portland in Oregon; the Renaissance Pittsburgh; the Renaissance Providence in Rhode Island; and the Residence Inn Milwaukee.
Just a reminder, folks, Sage doesn't guarantee a complimentary (i.e. free) night, but they are offering 50% off the published rate if a complimentary room is unavailable. Heck, even 50% off makes a great reward for something you're probably doing anyway!
What if a criminal doing court-ordered community service tries to use that to get the discount? Does the letter from the nonprofit organization make it clear whether the person is a volunteer vs criminal?
9000 said: What if a criminal doing court-ordered community service tries to use that to get the discount? Does the letter from the nonprofit organization make it clear whether the person is a volunteer vs criminal?Don't you have bigger things to worry about?
Anyway, court ordered service is probably not considered "volunteer service to a registered 501(c)3 non profit organization."
gmimeson
Member
posted: Jul. 7, 2009 @ 1:08p
Wow thanks for posting. A lot of my family members, including myself, have done quite a bit of volunteer work so this may be a nice "thank you" for the help. Thanks again!
9000. I can't find anything in the terms and conditions that mentions anything about court-ordered community service. It wouldn't hurt to shoot them an e-mail.
They have a separate program: Half Price For Heroes; Sage says Thank You to US Military personnel and First Responders with Half Price for Heroes.
gmimeson
Member
posted: Jul. 7, 2009 @ 1:23p
Hmm... My brother and step-brother are doing college visits coming up in the next few months. Any idea if the high school required community service might count for this? It would certainly help save money seeing as both of them are eying out of state schools... Tuition costs galore!
gmimeson and 9000: I imagine that court ordered "volunteer" service as well as high school required service being eligible would be something to discuss with the organizations the individual is required to volunteer with. As HappyCamper09 said, it's not listed in the terms and conditions, so it's quite possible. Were it me, I'd discuss it with the non-profit, as they would be producing the letter for presentation.
Scotty2Hottie
Senior Member
posted: Jul. 7, 2009 @ 2:44p
I Volunteer at my local YMCA 2 hrs a week, is that a registered 501(c)3?
It looks like it depends on the Y. If you're at your local ymca every week, my suggestion would be to ask the right person there.
gmimeson
Member
posted: Jul. 7, 2009 @ 2:55p
fuzzymello said: gmimeson and 9000: I imagine that court ordered "volunteer" service as well as high school required service being eligible would be something to discuss with the organizations the individual is required to volunteer with. As HappyCamper09 said, it's not listed in the terms and conditions, so it's quite possible. Were it me, I'd discuss it with the non-profit, as they would be producing the letter for presentation.
Thanks for the heads up. I've forwarded the deal onto my dad, who is helping the two of them book their arrangements so if it works, I'll let everyone know!
I would guess that Service Learning required as part of HS graduation is already earning credit towards graduation. Court ordered service is a form of restitution.
I am posting this at my organization for all the volunteers and parents who truly volunteer their time to keep us up and running. You may check on a 501c3 organization by visiting guidestar.org
Genius069 said: Is it really volunteering if you are gaining something out of it?
The point is to reward people who have volunteered in the past- as a thank you. Sure, some people may volunteer for 8 hours just to get a free hotel night. But even so, they are helping others. I would say that the hotels offering this deal should be thanked, as they would be the reason those people volunteered.
But, I don't think many people will be running out to volunteer 8 hours for 1 night in a Hotel. Maybe some people will, and that is their choice. But honestly, in the end, people are getting helped. The hotels are most likely still getting money, (people will likely stay another night, or order movies, or whatever extra costs may be associated with hotels) so they are benefiting. The charities are benefiting from extra volunteers, and the people who the charities help are benefiting.
Does it really matter if you call it volunteering? Or is the point of volunteering, helping people, what really matters?
Get 'em started and some will discover a whole new way to channel their energy for good. I was never much for volunteering until I was nagged into getting involved in a local nonprofit. Not only have I had a lot of fun, but the more I looked into the place, the more I found that my expertise in finance could be useful. I'm now treasurer and longtime board member at a very cool place.
shui said: Yikes. Did you know that Habitats For Humanity rejected nontheist volunteers? jessicak said: That must be regional. When I volunteered for Habitat for Humanity, I wasn't asked anything about my beliefs, religious or otherwise. Ditto. It's been a little over a year, but all I had to do was sign in, listen to a brief speech (about their mission, which may have mentioned religion) and start working / learning roofing...
Sheraton Phoenix Airport Hotel Tempe - Tempe, AZ Sheraton Tucson Hotel & Suites - Tucson, AZ CALIFORNIA
Courtyard Los Angeles Pasadena/Monrovia - Monrovia, CA Courtyard by Marriott San Diego Downtown - San Diego, CA homewood suites by hilton SFO Airport North - Brisbane, CA COLORADO
The Curtis - Denver, CO Courtyard by Marriott Denver Downtown - Denver, CO hilton Garden Inn Denver South/Meridian - Englewood, CO JW Marriott Denver at Cherry Creek - Denver, CO The Oxford Hotel - Denver, CO Pueblo Marriott at the Convention Center - Pueblo, CO Residence Inn by Marriott Denver City Center - Denver, CO TownePlace Suites by Marriott Boulder Broomfield - Broomfield, CO TownePlace Suites by Marriott Colorado Springs - Colorado Springs, CO TownePlace Suites by Marriott Denver Downtown - Denver, CO TownePlace Suites by Marriott Denver Southeast - Denver, CO TownePlace Suites by Marriott Littleton Southwest - Littleton, CO TownePlace Suites by Marriott Denver Tech Center - Englewood, CO TownePlace Suites by Marriott Denver West Federal Center - Golden, CO The Westin Westminster- Westminster, CO CONNECTICUT
hilton Garden Inn Orlando at SeaWorld International Center - Orlando, FL GEORGIA
doubletree Hotel Northlake - Atlanta, GA hilton Garden Inn Atlanta Perimeter Center - Atlanta, GA ILLINOIS
The Blackstone, A Renaissance Hotel - Chicago, IL Chicagos Essex Inn - Chicago, IL Clock Tower Resort - Rockford, IL hilton Garden Inn Hoffman Estates - Hoffman Estates, IL Sheraton Chicago Northwest - Arlington Heights, IL MASSACHUSETTS
Courtyard Fitchburg by Marriott - Fitchburg, MA Sheraton Ferncroft Hotel - Danvers, MA MICHIGAN
Courtyard by Marriott - Brighton, MI Courtyard by Marriott - Lansing, MI Hotel Baronette - Novi, MI MINNESOTA
Residence Inn by Marriott Milwaukee Downtown- Milwaukee, WI
nativeamericansaver
Thrifty Member
posted: Jul. 8, 2009 @ 10:09p
Thank you very much. I work at a thrift store and will let my boss know this could be a great incentive to get more volunteers. Something tells some hotels won't be expecting the flood of people taking advantage of this and will want to change the rules halfway during the promotion.
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