Seth Johnson
The Alachua County Hospitality Council (ACHC) met Wednesday afternoon for its regular meeting and to award four Gainesville organizations with funds to further their missions.
The council voted on which three organizations to select, but after a tie for third place, the winner list expanded to four―the Ronald McDonald House, Family Promise, Cade Museum and Episcopal Children’s Services.
“Thank you so much for the donation,” Doretha Anderson, outreach coordinator for Episcopal Children’s Services, said at the meeting. “Our children that we serve are at-risk children, and this donation actually is going to go towards our Giving Tree initiative to make sure that these children get gifts for the holidays.”
Episcopal Children’s Services and the Cade Museum both received $500, while Family Promise and the Ronald McDonald House got $1,000 and $2,000, respectively.
Rebecca Lamb, president of the ACHC, said the council had saved up money over the pandemic from memberships and decided to donate to local causes.
“Each of them do amazing things for the community and for children,” Lamb said.
This is the first time the council has donated to community groups, according to Lamb. The council members submitted names of organizations before voting on which would receive the funds.
Lamb said the council hopes that the money will help further the good these groups do.
“Giving back is really important to the hospitality council,” Lamb said.
The ACHC is made up of members of the hospitality industry in Alachua County, including hotels, restaurants, attractions and other businesses.