Residence Inn surpasses fundraising goal for Go Red For Women

March 27, 2019 | Stephanie Trombley
stephanie@thereminder.com

Latoya Vice, front desk agent at the Residence Inn and Beverly Battista, director of Sales posed with the hotel’s display for their Go Red For Women fundraiser.
Reminder Publishing submitted photo

WEST SPRINGFIELD – While the month of February is known as American Heart Month, Residence Inn by Marriott West Springfield has kept the love going with fundraising efforts.

Beverly Battista, director of Sales for Residence Inn, said, “Guests and employees have taken it to heart when it comes to raising awareness and funds for Go Red For Women and the American Heart Association. We began our campaign on Feb. 14.”

Go Red For Women is a national movement by the American Heart Association to bring attention to heart disease and stroke in women. People are encouraged to wear the color red during the month to bring awareness to the cause and to share facts and statistics surrounding heart disease and stroke in women.

According to the American Heart Association website, “While nearly 80 percent of cardiac events can be prevented, cardiovascular diseases continue to be a woman’s greatest health threat, claiming the lives of one in three women.”

The hotel has raised funds through initiatives including bake sales, dress down days, raffles, cooking and a “Cutest Baby” contest. Battista said, “Our employees have cooked their own food to provide to guests and the guests paid for the meal to raise money for Go Red For Women. Staff has sold raffle tickets for raffles to Red Sox games, Thunderbirds games and local restaurants.”

ARS Restoration Specialists donated two Red Sox tickets, a four pack of Thunderbirds tickets were donated by the Springfield Thunderbirds and a $50 gift card was donated by Cal’s Woodfire Grill for the raffles.

It was all hands on deck at the hotel to raise as much as possible for the cause. Staff members sold various homemade treats at the bake sale for $1.

Of 850 participating hotels, Residence Inn came in number one in the country, raising a total of $2,125.00 for Go Red For Women.

Ambridge Hospitality, the management for Residence Inn by Marriott West Springfield, holds the fundraiser annually and encourages their hotels to participate in money-raising efforts. The Residence Inn’s goal was $264. The hotel surpassed the goal and was able to raise over $2,000. The fundraiser concluded on March 25.

“We’ve had a ton of guest participation. It’s a group effort. The guests have come together to participate and make this possible,” Battista said.

For Battista, the cause is something personal to her. Although the fundraiser may be over at Residence Inn, she said this is a cause she will always support. “My mom died of heart disease. It’s absolutely important. I don’t believe that there’s enough awareness on how this affects so many women. People think heart attacks affect men mainly and often forget women can be affected. It brings awareness to this,” Battista shared.

For more information on Go Red For Women or the American Heart Association, please visit www.goredforwomen.org. Residence Inn by Marriott West Springfield is located at 64 Border Way in West Springfield.

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