Roseville Blogger: Hospitality Isn't Just for In House Guests!

I attended the eighth annual Children’s Miracle Network (CMN) Fundraiser hosted by The Courtyard by Marriott and Residence Inn on Centre Point Drive in Roseville a few weeks ago.

Both hotel properties are locally owned by CSM Corp. and are under the Marriott Hotel Corp.brand. Marriott encourages its owned and franchised properties to seek out partnerships and/or initiatives that help the communities where they live and work. And these two hotel properties fully embrace that philosophy!

The sales staff at the hotels work together to see both properties and every year also work extra hours on the Children’s Miracle Network Fundraiser. The money they collect locally stays here and has gone to Gillette’s Children’s Hospital Center for Gait and Motion Analysis (Gait Lab).

While I was at the event I had the chance to talk to Nancy Hefko, development associate for the CMN at Gillette Children’s Hospital. She said that the lab is not only one of the busiest in the world, it also draws doctors from around the world who come to observe its functionality.

This rehabilitation unit uses state-of-the-art computer technology when working with children to evaluate and develop effective treatments for movement problems. In simple laymen’s terms, this means they work with kids who may have Cerebral Palsy, Spina bifida, brain injuries, amputations or hip conditions, to name but a few.

Nancy could not say enough good things about the team which included General Managers Darryn Maloney of the Courtyard and Shana Corbo of the Residence Inn along with the sales staff of Sarah Anderson, Paige Hawkins and Ashley Anderson.  According to Nancy, “This isn’t just another event to them, they really care.”

Nancy's colleague Becky Holst agreed, stating "There’s a lot of heart behind this."

I would concur as I know that Michelle Rein; former general manager (GM) of the Residence Inn Roseville and now GM at the Residence Inn in Plymouth; has come back the last three years to man the registration desk. 

You couldn’t keep Darryn Maloney, who just relocated to The Depot in downtown away either. You could find him behind the bar serving wine as he usually does in one of the meeting rooms set up with silent auction items.  

And speaking of the silent auction items, I am dismayed to report that I did not ‘"win"a thing. While my husband begs to differ with my idea of "wining" at a silent auction, if I can come away with anything that has to do with hair, spa, make up or massage and the charity benefits we are all winners! I also bought $20 worth of tickets and tossed them into the new I Pad 2 bucket but did  not "‘win" that either.

My hats are off to a group of people who yearly go above and beyond to have fun and do good. Rein said it initially started in the parking lot with a tent and a 50’s band. The silent auction portion made money, which went to Gillette, but the hotels lost more than they planned after paying for the food, band and set up.

Today, they have grown in party wisdom and now have partners willing to pitch in for a good cause. Jimmy John’s was one that came forward and Roseville Area Catering Manager Robert Larson said, “Jimmy John’s “Make a deal, keep a deal" is our Golden Rule and great way to connect with the community.  These two hotels obviously have a similar, community driven, philosophy and we are proud to be part of this event.”    

They have raised more than $70,000 through the years and I’d say we all can be proud that volunteerism is alive and well in our hospitality community.