Westin Resort donation benefits Habitat for Humanity
As procurement director, Donna Clavin solicits area businesses and communities to remember Habitat for Humanity as a source for donations when moving or remodeling.
The Westin Cape Coral Resort at Marina Village and property owner Freeman & Hasselwander Resort Properties, LLC donated more than 1,000 furnishings and accessories to Habitat’s ReStore center where the items are sold and the proceeds benefiting construction of Habitat homes. On its first-year anniversary in Cape Coral Friday, Dec. 13, the resort delivered the last of the items to ReStore workers.
Items included more than 400 lamps, 200 ceiling fans, treadmills and other fitness equipment, toilets and other accessories taken from the resort’s 220 rooms during a facilities upgrade. Westin adheres to higher quality standards as a Starwood hotel.
“We’re thrilled that Habitat for Humanity was chosen for this donation,” said Westin Resort general manager Eric Ashton. “We like Habitat. As we refresh and renew our rooms, it’s better that they benefit instead of sending it all out to auction.”
With ReStore sales centers in Bonita Beach and North Fort Myers, Habitat For Humanity accepts large or small donations of housewares, hardware, furniture, flooring, electronics, plumbing and lighting fixtures, doors and windows, appliances, cabinets and clothing.
“It’s hard to put a value on the donation,” said Clavin. “The value is in the relationship. We go out and rate all donations good, fair or poor. This one is excellent and all the proceeds go to Habitat for Humanity. I’ve been working with the resort on this for the past nine months.”
“These items probably will contribute almost the cost of one home,” added Habitat spokesperson Ginny Cooper.
Freeman & Hasselwander acquired the property in 2011 from foreclosure. It had been operating as the Resort at Marina Village when it went into receivership.
“To get Westin to come to Cape Coral, we had to change out a lot of things to bring it up to Westin’s standards,” said Lauren Hagan, Tarpon Point general manager for Freeman & Hasselwander. “It’s been two years since the purchase and today is Westin’s one-year anniversary in Cape Coral, so it is a special day.”
Many of the changes were made for aesthetic reasons, though some were required by Westin. The project did not include a major renovation, but still is a sizable one.
For more information about Habitat for Humanity or ReStore donations visit www.habitat4humanity.org or leehendry.habitatrestores.org.