AAHOA Raises Earthquake Relief Funds Through Golf Outing

ATLANTA— The Asian American Hotel Owners Association (AAHOA) earlier this week raised more than $25,001 through a golf outing for an earthquake relief fund dedicated to the Gujarat region of India, which suffered a crippling earthquake in January. A mix of hospitality vendors and hoteliers were on hand for the event at Opryland’s Springhouse Golf Club in Nashville, TN. All told, over 100 golfers, contributing $251 a head, attended the golf outing. “The hospitality industry’s outpouring of support has been incredible,” said Dan Patel, chairman, AAHOA. “Our members have given directly to disaster relief programs, as have countless vendors and colleagues.” In addition to AAHOA, companies such as American Express, Choice Hotels International, Six Continents Hotels and Resorts, and Cendant Corporation, among others, have raised and donated nearly US$500,001 for relief programs related to the earthquake, such as BAPS Care International and the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund. AAHOA itself had made an initial, immediate donation of US$25,001 to disaster relief efforts. “Most of our members are from the Gujarat region, which was hit hardest by the January earthquake,” said Fred Schwartz, president, AAHOA. “The donations and efforts made by not only our members, but also our vendors and associates, has been tremendous.”