Hotel Del Sol shines on
two local charities year round

While many businesses are cutting back their philanthropic efforts in this rocky economy, the Marina’s Hotel Del Sol, a Joie de Vivre Hospitality property, is giving more.

They have chosen to support two charities that address a nationwide problem the Hotel Del Sol staff has designated as dearest to their hearts: homeless kids.

“We’re excited to be partnering with two local nonprofit agencies to help raise funds and awareness,” general manager Gary Sterman said. “Our employees selected two community agencies who work with homeless children in San Francisco to help. We’re focusing on homelessness among children because we feel it’s an area we want to help as much as we possibly can.”

With 30 properties in California, Joie de Vivre donates through each location to charities chosen by their employees, Sterman explained. The program is called You Can Make a Difference, and Hotel Del Sol has done just that in a huge way for the past four years.

“Since we started this program in 2007, our guests have donated more than $22,000. It’s a great effort, because we believe in these charities and know how many people they help,” said Sterman.

Joie de Vivre’s 100 percent voluntary program asks its guests to donate one dollar for each night they stay at each hotel the company owns.

“Every cent goes to the Homeless Children’s Network’s center in San Francisco,” Sterman said. “Our staff visited their center and we were very impressed by the work they do by providing comprehensive mental health services, case management, and family support services for homeless children and their families citywide.”

In addition, Hotel Del Sol is collaborating with Project Night Night (PNN). “If you look up at the ceiling in our reception area, all of the toys up there are samples of the wonderful work that PNN performs. For a $20 donation, this organization sends a tote bag to homeless centers throughout the country. Each tote contains a blanket, a book and a stuffed animal. Since starting in 2005, PNN has sent nearly 35,000 totes throughout the U.S. The goal is to provide some comfort to children during a tough time and this is PNN’s way to address emotional, educational and environmental needs of homeless children.”

Artwork created by children from the Homeless Children’s Network currently hangs in Hotel Del Sol’s computer room, Sterman said. “Their young clients are amazing artists and we’re happy to have it on the walls in our computer room. All of the profit we receive from our computer rental fees is donated directly to these two agencies.”

Hotel Del Sol doesn’t stop there either, Sterman said. “In addition, we offer gift certificates for schools so that they can offer rooms at our hotel for raffle items at fundraisers, etc. In 2010, we gave out approximately $13,000 this way. It’s just part of the whole package and another way for us to give. By offering our rooms, we’re able to give them something other than handing them checks, and it’s worked very well.”

So the next time family members or friends come in from out of town and are looking for a place to stay while they’re here, why not consider the Hotel Del Sol? It’s a great way to support a local business and two worthy charities – all at the same time.