The Westgate Resort Foundation recently celebrated its 15th anniversary and announced a contribution of $1 million in grants to benefit regional nonprofit organizations in Central Florida during their Grantee Celebration Breakfast.<\/p>\n
Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs attended the celebratory breakfast and delivered welcome remarks.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs Westgate Resorts has grown over the years, so has the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of others through the creation of Westgate Resorts Foundation,\u201d Mayor Jacobs said during her remarks. \u201cAnd that is what brings us all here today \u2013 strategic, collaborative, philanthropic investment in our community and in each of Westgate\u2019s resort communities. Each organization recognized today, along with Westgate Foundation, is a vital part of what makes Orange County such a great place to live, work, visit and raise a family.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Foundation for Orange County Public Schools received a $15,000 grant from the Westgate Resorts Foundation. Heart of Florida United Way, Victim Service Center of Central Florida, Goodwill Industries of Central Florida, A Gift for Teaching, Harbor House, IDignity, City Year Orlando and United Against Poverty were also among the local nonprofits who benefited from Westgate Resorts Foundation\u2019s generous grants.<\/p>\n
In addition to the nearly $1 million dollars donated to several nonprofit organizations throughout Central Florida, Westgate Resorts and its Foundation were a beacon of light in the wake of the Pulse Nightclub tragedy. Westgate Resorts honored the many first responders who served during the tragedy, provided lodging for families of victims and survivors and offered employment to displaced Pulse workers. Additionally, Westgate Resorts, in conjunction with its Foundation and the Orlando Predators, donated a total of $50,000 to the One Orlando Fund.<\/p>\n
The Westgate Resorts Foundation strives to build strong families and a strong workforce by focusing its efforts on family and youth homelessness, domestic violence, education and veteran employment, which aligns with many of Mayor Jacobs\u2019 initiatives<\/a>. The CEO and founder of Westgate Resorts, David Siegel, has also joined Mayor Jacobs in fighting America\u2019s heroin epidemic on a local, state and national level and served as a guest speaker for the Orange County Heroin Task Force<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cThis was a great celebration of the positive work happening in all of our resort communities,\u201d said Siegel. \u201cWestgate Resorts Foundation\u2019s new mission of Strong Families, Strong Workforce is rooted in a legacy of generosity and entrepreneurialism, but reflects a clear and intentional vision for the future and we have the right partners to help us accomplish it.\u201d<\/p>\n In keeping with the event theme of \u201cstrength through collaboration,\u201d Westgate\u2019s leadership challenged organizations to build relationships and encouraged collaboration and problem-solving with one another. The Westgate Resorts Foundation will offer a series of challenge grants this year to existing grantees that collaborate in groups of two or more to innovatively tackle issues within the Foundation\u2019s focus areas.<\/p>\n \u201cToday was every bit as much about fostering relationships and collaboration as it was about celebrating a landmark investment of $1 million,\u201d said Mara Frazier, senior director of the Westgate Resorts Foundation and Community Affairs. \u201cI\u2019m excited to see the year unfold and how our grantee partners leverage resources and talent to create innovative solutions and bring permanent positive change to our community.\u201d<\/p>\n Westgate Resorts also continues to add growth to Central Florida\u2019s economic sector. The company will invest a record $61.7 million between 2016 and 2017 into its 13 area resorts, creating nearly 1,500 construction jobs and long-term employment opportunities.<\/p>\n To view photos from the Grantee Celebration Breakfast<\/a>, visit Mayor Jacobs\u2019 Flickr album.<\/p>\n