Mainsail Lodging & Development raises $13,500 for Hurricane Helene and Milton relief
On Thursday, Oct. 17, and Friday, Oct. 18, six Mainsail Lodging & Development hotels hosted events raising $13,500 to support Florida and Georgia communities impacted by Hurricanes Helene and Milton. Participating venues in Florida included EDGE Rooftop Cocktail Lounge (Epicurean Hotel in Tampa); Hi-Fi Rooftop Bar (Fenway Hotel in Dunedin); and Beacon Social Drinkery (Luminary Hotel & Co. in downtown Fort Myers). In Georgia, Hightales Rooftop Bar (Hotel Forty Five in Macon); Oliver’s Twist Bar & View (Trilith Guesthouse in Fayetteville), and The Office Bar (Epicurean Atlanta in Midtown) also joined the efforts. The funds will go directly to the American Red Cross and Giving Kitchen to aid communities impacted by the storms.
“We’re incredibly grateful for the support of our communities and our guests,” said Joe Collier, President & Founder of Mainsail Lodging & Development. “We partnered with the American Red Cross because of their trusted leadership in disaster relief, and Giving Kitchen because of their commitment to helping food service workers, many of whom were profoundly affected by the hurricanes. These organizations align with our values, and we’re proud to contribute to their efforts in helping our neighbors and the hospitality industry recover and rebuild.”
Mainsail’s Florida events raised $10,000 for the Red Cross, which has been instrumental in responding to Hurricanes Helene and Milton, operating 282 evacuation shelters across Florida and transitioning to Recovery Shelters for those unable to return home. With over 1,900 volunteers on the ground, they have served more than 2.1 million meals and snacks to those affected, while offering essential services like health care, emotional support, and coordination with emergency management, all at no cost to those in need.
Mainsail’s Georgia events raised an additional $3,500 for Giving Kitchen, a nonprofit established in 2013 to provide emergency assistance and financial support to food service workers, making sure they can pay their bills. Through their Stability Network, Giving Kitchen connects food service workers in crisis to resources they may have not been aware of, including housing, utilities, health and wellness, employment and more.
According to Collier, this is the third consecutive year Mainsail has held special fundraising events following hurricanes, raising tens of thousands of dollars in relief funds. In 2022, the company’s Luminary Hotel & Co. also hosted a large-scale community rally in Fort Myers, distributing 300 family food kits, serving more than 800 hot lunches, and providing an opportunity for families to meet with FEMA and local nonprofits for much-needed assistance following Hurricane Ian.
To make a donation or for more information on how to support the American Red Cross and Giving Kitchen, visit RedCross.org/Donate and TheGivingKitchen.org/Give-Now. For more information on Mainsail Lodging & Development, go to MainsailHotels.com.