Local Nonprofits Receive $178,000 from Proceeds of The Omni Grove Park Inn Holiday Parking Partner Program, 2021 Season
Asheville, N.C. (Feb 1, 2022) – United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County (United Way) announced today that 15 local nonprofits will receive $178,000 in proceeds derived from the 2021 Holiday Parking Partner Program at The Omni Grove Park Inn. These funds will further charitable work across Western North Carolina, increasing the Holiday Parking Partner Program’s impact to more than $680,000 since its inception in 2013.
During the Fall & Holiday season (October – December), The Omni Grove Park Inn donates a portion of the parking proceeds to the community in support of local nonprofit organizations across Western North Carolina.
“Our ongoing work with The Omni Grove Park Inn and their Holiday Parking Partner Program has been rewarding for each nonprofit partner,” said Kevin Montgomery, vice president of Resource Development for United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County. “We are fortunate that so many of our local businesses work to not only address their core mission but work just as hard to positively impact the community.”
This year’s recipients include American Legion Baseball Post #70, Asheville City Schools Foundation, Asheville Humane Society, Asheville Museum of Science, Asheville Peak Academy, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Children First/Communities in Schools, Food Connection, Horizons at CDS, Meals on Wheels of Asheville and Buncombe County, Pisgah Legal Services, Salvation Army Boys and Girls Club Asheville, United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County, WNC Fire Frogs, and the YMCA Camp Watia Camper Scholarship Fund.
Nonprofit Partner Quotes
American Legion Post 70
“The Omni Grove Park Inn funds help support our baseball program, allowing kids to play baseball competitively during the summer at no cost to them or their families. Those funds also provide uniforms, equipment, baseballs, along with other necessities it takes to run a successful baseball program. A lot of what we offer players comes directly from the funds that The Omni Grove Park Inn donates. We are thankful they continue to allow us to offer baseball to the student athletes of our communities.” Guy Fisk, District 24 Commander and American Legion Post 70 Adjunct
Asheville City Schools Foundation
"For more than 33 years, the Asheville City Schools Foundation has called on our local business community to support Asheville City Schools students and teachers. The Omni Grove Park Inn has consistently answered that call by supporting our programming through the Holiday Parking Partner Program. Over the years, they have donated more than $85,000 to support In Real Life After-School, TAPAAS artist residency programming, and our DREAM team high school students. The Omni Grove Park Inn understands that a community is only as strong as its investments in their youth." Copland Arnold Rudolph, Executive Director
Asheville Museum of Science
“AMOS is extremely grateful to The Omni Grove Park Inn for their generous donation. Since 2018, the hotel has donated nearly $45,000 to our organization. This gift to the Museum will support our overall STEM education programming, including our STEM ‘makers’ program in recognition of all the ‘baker makers’ who utilize science to construct their amazing gingerbread creations.” Amanda Bryant, Executive Director
Asheville PEAK Academy
“Asheville PEAK Academy is delighted to be one of the community recipients of the 2021 Holiday Parking Partner Program donation from The Omni Grove Park Inn! This generous donation will allow us to further our mission to serve underserved children with library books, and more reading and enrichment activities to help students in all our grades engage better in the joy of learning through reading - a lifetime skill.” Dr. Gordon Grant, Board Member, PEAK Academy
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Western North Carolina
"With the generous support from The Omni Grove Park Inn, Big Brothers Big Sisters will be able to recruit, screen, train, and match more local youth with a caring mentor." Jamye Davis, Executive Vice President of Programs
Children First/Communities In Schools of Buncombe County
“Children First/Communities In Schools of Buncombe County is grateful for The Omni Grove Park Inn’s continued support through the Holiday Parking Partners Program. Thanks to this partnership, we can continue our work to address long-standing inequities and barriers by serving children and families in Buncombe County through our Family Resource Centers, Afterschool Enrichment Programming, Student Support Specialists in five area schools, and our Success Equation advocacy initiative.” Katy Townsend, Resource Development Director
Food Connection
"Food Connection is deeply grateful to The Omni Grove Park Inn. Since starting our partnership in September 2017 we have rescued 17,669 leftover meals including Beef Wellington, Crab Cakes, Brisket BBQ, Mahi-mahi with Mango Slaw, and Beef Tenderloin. This delicious food has gone to places such as the Salvation Army, Trinity Place Youth Shelter, ABCCM Transformation Village and Veterans Restoration Quarters, Loving Food Resources, and Western Carolina Rescue Mission to nourish the bodies and souls of our neighbors in need." Marisha MacMorran, Executive Director
Horizons at CDS
“We are thankful for the ongoing support from The Omni Grove Park Inn and for their commitment to our Asheville community. Because of this generous contribution, we will be able to move ahead in expanding our program significantly to offer incredible educational enrichment opportunities for 75 children this summer. We very much look forward to coming together again to learn, laugh, explore, and grow together this summer.” Monica Antonazzo, Executive Director
Meals on Wheels of Asheville and Buncombe County
“We have seen just how fragile our food system can be and how important community partnerships are in supporting our neighbors in need. That is why the funding from The Omni Grove Park Inn’s Holiday Parking Program is so important to a non-profit like Meals on Wheels. Over the years, they’ve provided more than $65,000 and nearly 10,000 hot, nourishing meals for homebound seniors who do not have the ability to shop and cook for themselves. Nutrition is important to help these vulnerable seniors stay healthy and able to live independently.” Debbie Sprouse, Executive Director
Pisgah Legal Services
“Children and adults alike visit the hotel to see, and experience, these Gingerbread creations because they celebrate the season and showcase a world of wonder, magic, and enjoyment. We are pleased to use a portion of the proceeds from those visits to help more than 6,000 less fortunate children in Western North Carolina each year. Through our Children’s Law Program, Pisgah Legal Services helps children, and their families, avoid homelessness, escape domestic violence, and obtain needed medical care. The Omni Grove Park Inn’s generous support means more children will have access to these essential services.” Deborah J Holt, Regional Development Officer
The Salvation Army Boys and Girls Clubs of Buncombe County
“The Salvation Army Boys and Girls Clubs of Buncombe County is grateful for the generous donation received by The Omni Grove Park Inn from their Holiday Parking Partner Program,” said Major Phil Swyers. “The Boys and Girls Clubs provide a safe place for kids to go to after school, providing structured recreation, homework assistance, and STEM learning activities. We are dependent on local support and this gift will help us to continue to make a difference in the lives of those we serve. “
United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County
“We know that every company has a host of demands, especially during times like these. So, when a company chooses to prioritize their community with their philanthropic investments or volunteer manpower, we think it is something to celebrate,” said Kevin Montgomery, Vice President of Resource Development for United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County. “The Omni Grove Park Inn has been an important partner to many in this community, including our own efforts to support students and families in our seven community schools locations.”
WNC Fire Frogs
"The Holiday Parking Partner Program donation from The Omni Grove Park Inn will help immensely to offset the costs for the team uniforms, tournament fees, and equipment costs like game baseballs. It will also assist us with facility rental costs for all of the practices." James Thomas, Head Coach & General Manager
YMCA of Western North Carolina Camp Watia
“Camp Watia is a dream come true for the region’s youth, with more than 3,500 kids attending in our first five summers. Funding from The Omni Grove Park Inn is critical in helping us provide an affordable and high-quality overnight camp experience. Our promise is to never turn a child away due to an inability to pay. We actively deliver on this promise, with approximately 30% of our campers benefiting from scholarships that are funded through community donors like The Omni Grove Park Inn.” Shannon Raab, Executive Director