36 nonprofit representatives receive weekend getaway at Antlers at Vail hotel
Colorado nonprofits will enjoy springtime in Vail, a party and lodging as a “thank you” with the Antlers at Vail hotel’s “Pay It Backward” weekend event.
Vail, Colo., May 6, 2015 –– In a different twist on the “pay it forward” concept, the Antlers at Vail hotel has created a “Pay It Backward” event as a way to say thank you to 36 Colorado nonprofits for all that they do. Antlers General Manager Rob LeVine sent a letter asking the nonprofits to select anyone they wanted – including employee, volunteer or client – to receive two free nights’ lodging at the Antlers the weekend of May 15-17, with a special reception on Saturday evening.
“There wasn’t anything scientific in our selection process,” says LeVine. “In the spring shoulder season we typically have rooms available and we really just wanted to share what we have with these groups who impact so many in really profound ways. We opened it up to our staff for input, so some of the organizations are ones that we had a previous relationship with, and others are ones that we’ve always admired. We tried to find a good mix of social, environmental, humanitarian, health, children, military and animal-related causes.”
Antlers at Vail hopes to build upon this event in the years ahead, adding more nonprofits and perhaps inspiring other area lodgings to join the effort. “Naturally, there are a million organizations who would be equally deserving, but we needed to start somewhere,” says LeVine of the 36 chosen to participate this month. “We’re hoping this is the start of something that grows as it captures the spirit of gratitude we mean when we say ‘pay it backward.’”
On Saturday evening, the nonprofit representatives will be treated to a complimentary reception with wine and appetizers prepared by Vail catering chef Barry Robinson, but attendance is strictly voluntary, stresses LeVine. “The entire weekend is ‘no strings attached.’ We’d love the chance to toast everyone at the party on Saturday, but mainly we just want them to have a chance to relax and recharge in our beautiful Vail Valley in whatever way is most meaningful to them.”
The nonprofits invited to this year’s “Pay It Backward” weekend are, in alphabetical order: The Alliance for Sustainable Colorado; American Heart Association; American Red Cross Mile High Chapter; Audubon Rockies; Bicycle Colorado; Big Brothers Big Sisters of Colorado; Boys & Girls Clubs; Canine Companions for Independence; CAR’s Housing Opportunity Fund; Catholic Charities; The Center For Mental Health; Children’s Hospital Colorado Foundation; Colorado Coalition Against Domestic Violence; Colorado Public Radio; Colorado Fourteeners Initiative; Colorado Water Trust; Crossroads Safehouse; Denver Children’s Advocacy Center; Denver Dumb Friends League; Denver Indian Family Resource Center; Easter Seals; Food Bank of the Rockies; Habitat for Humanity of Colorado; The Home Front Cares; Hospice of Northern Colorado; iDE – International Development Enterprises; Joshua Station; Mile High United Way; Mi Casa Resource Center; MaxFund; Rocky Mountain Rescue Group; Ronald McDonald House Charities; The Salvation Army of Colorado Springs; Sense of Security; Wounded Warrior Project; The Women’s Foundation of Colorado; 9Health Fair.
