Supporting local nonprofits in a tough event and fundraising year
Grand Hyatt Vail’s Grand Gestures Initiative launched during Q1 of winter 2020/21 season to raise awareness and funds for charitable causes within the Vail Valley whose fundraising efforts were disrupted due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
For this initiative in particular, we created it because many of our local charities were not able to fundraise in their traditional ways during the COVID-19 pandemic, and we wanted to partner with them to help raise funds to support our community — shared by Director of Events for Grand Hyatt Vail Ashley Okamura.
Our team was inspired to create the Grand Gestures charitable initiative in lieu of being able to host a holiday fundraising event to support Ski Fast Foundation due to COVID-19,” stated Grand Hyatt Vail’s General Manager, Dan Johnson. “Despite the challenges presented to forego a grand scale event, creativity and a passion to contribute to causes meaningful to us led the team to design this initiative, and we are proud and honored to have helped support these worthy endeavors and look forward to continuing this initiative quarterly.”
Fostering Hyatt’s purpose of care in the local community, Grand Hyatt Vail’s winter Grand Gestures recipients encompassed organizations supporting pediatric health, arts, culture, education and shelter including Ski Fast Foundation, Vail Valley Foundation and Habitat for Humanity Vail Valley.
Ski Fast Foundation | February 27, 2021
*Held in celebration of the life and legacy of Campbell Sullivan.
Founded by Vail Valley native, Campbell Sullivan, Ski Fast Foundation’s mission is to assist and support pediatric cancer patients with sarcoma cancers. Campbell created Ski Fast Foundation to help fellow kids with cancer. Diagnosed with CIC-DUX4 Sarcoma in 2017, she battled for four years through February 22, 2021, and her goal remained constant – to inspire others facing similar circumstances and offer financial aid to help pursue their dreams. Funds raised support scholarship recipient patients as they strive to return to their pre-diagnosis extracurricular passions in sports, the arts, music, science and more, both during and post-treatment.
Vail Valley Foundation | March 6, 2021
The mission of the Vail Valley Foundation is to enhance the quality of life in the Vail Valley and showcase the community to a global audience through arts, athletics and education. Funds supporting the arts include producing the Vail Dance Festival, operating the Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater in Vail and the Vilar Performing Arts Center in Beaver Creek and presenting free summer concerts; athletics including producing the annual Birds of Prey ski races and GoPro Mountain Games and education including operating the YouthPower365’s community and school-based programming from entry to graduation.
Habitat for Humanity Vail Valley | March 13, 2021
Habitat for Humanity Vail Valley’s mission is to bring people together to build homes, communities and hope. Its efforts help local families achieve strength, stability and self-reliance through shelter. To date, more than 87 habitat homeowners have built or improved their home through Habitat for Humanity Vail Valley. All funds raised will support building homes for families in Eagle County.
The Grand Gestures winter initiative devoted a day of giving throughout the resort for each cause as follows:
- Donated a percentage of proceeds from all food and beverage sales in the resort’s signature restaurant Gessner, Fireside Lounge, The Market and the al fresco Cascade Village Square including Gore Creek Kitchen, Bonfire + Ice Bar, private yurt reservations and service to outdoor fire pits
- Offered complimentary al fresco ice skating in Cascade Village Square
- Donated a percentage of proceeds from resort retail shops including Venture Sports and The Spa at Grand Hyatt Vail
- Donated a percentage of proceeds from local pop-up shops participating in Grand Gestures including clothing boutique Wild Heart Colorado and art by Agostina
- Donated all proceeds from bidding on donated items within silent auctions during the days of giving
Grand Gestures helped raise over $15,000 between the three organizations this winter through proceeds from food and beverage, funds through silent auction bidding and direct donations made to each cause during the events. The resort aims to continue the Grand Gestures Initiative throughout the year, supporting community causes and non-profits each quarter, along with pop ups that showcase local businesses to resort guests.
You can learn more about Grand Hyatt Vail at www.grandhyattvail.com.