It is nice when a big corporation does something good. It is better when you can help out, without having to sacrifice much yourself. Last Thursday, Marriott Food and Beverage Services invited Georgetown students to take a few minutes before dinner and make a donation to Hurricane Katrina relief efforts. All it took was a simple swipe of a card.
The program was a student initiative-Stephanie Hill, GU HERE programming coordinator, approached University Food and Beverage Director Michael Basile with the idea last week. However, Marriott should be praised for its quick response to her request.
Within a day, Hill said, Marriott Food and Beverage Services agreed to set up a table in the dining hall soliciting donations. For each student who swiped a card at this table, Marriott would donate $1 to the Hilltop Auction Fund.
Between Marriott’s donations and last Thursdsay’s Hilltop Auction?-which Hill also chaired-the fund has brought in over $10,000 for hurricane relief.
Students who chose to participate in the program did not actually give up a meal; rather, the donation came from Marriott.
Marriott did place several limitations on the program. Students were only permitted one swipe and the option was only open for one night, last Thursday. However, these stipulations are understandable given the last minute nature of project.
“Marriott has donated full meals in the past, ” Hill said. And in recent years, the company has helped raise money for several Georgetown volunteer and public services.
The program was successful largely because it made donation convenient. According to Steve Gibbs, director of Georgetown resident dining, 337 students signed up to donate on Sept. 29.
This has not been Marriott’s only hurricane relief effort-the company also helped coordinate the Hilltop Auction by donating space, tables, chairs and man-power, according to Hill. They even chipped in with a few gift-baskets.
Both the program at Leo’s and the donations to the Hilltop Auction represent a commendable effort on the part of Marriott to work with Georgetown students, even though the corporation is just a university contractor.
Students appreciate a good cause when they see one. We applaud Marriott and all involved in this effort and we encourage others like it. Next time, Marriott should better publicize this option, because it’s a good thing.
