HOSPITALITY ASSOCIATION SPEARHEADS STATEWIDE HURRICANE RELIEF EFFORT

Huntsville, AL – The Hospitality Association of Huntsville/Madison County is leading a statewide collection effort to help our Hospitality Industry Partners in South Alabama recover from the recent hurricanes that have devastated the area. Collection day is scheduled for Wednesday, October 6, from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at STG Media (WAHR and WRTT) located at 1900 Memorial Parkway.

The Hospitality Association after coordinating with the other state tourism/hospitality agencies has organized a statewide collection effort that will be delivered to the Alabama beaches. The community is asked to donate supplies (see list that follows) that will be transported to the beach via a truck that is being donated by Buffalo Rock’s Huntsville division. A group of volunteers will accompany the truck as it makes it way to the beach picking up donated items throughout the state. Madison RV Superstore has donated the use of an RV to transport the volunteers that will assist with the collection and delivery of the supplies to the beach. WAHR – Star 99, WRTT – Rocket 95.1, WLOR – Jammin’ 1550, the Huntsville/Madison County Convention & Visitors Bureau and the Alabama Travel Council are all coordinating partners in this effort.

On Thursday, October 7, the Hospitality Association volunteers will head south, after stops in Birmingham, and Montgomery. The volunteer effort will depart Montgomery and head to Gulf Shores to deliver the much needed supplies.

“This project has really grown, within a few days time we have literally mobilized Alabama’s entire tourism/hospitality industry” stated Bart Williams, president of the Huntsville Hospitality Association. After exchanging a few emails with the Alabama Travel Council in Montgomery, Alabama’s tourism network has been energized. We have convention and visitors bureaus, chambers and attractions all across the state that are collecting from their communities and plan to deliver what they collect to one of our pick-up stops in Huntsville, Birmingham or Montgomery”, continued Williams.

Cash donations are also welcome and can be dropped off at the collection point on October 7. Donations can be made to: Gulf Shores Hurricane Relief Fund or Orange Beach Hurricane Relief Fund.

Suggested Supplies Include:
Any type of cleaner: Bleach, Clorox2, Cleaning Sprays (409, etc.)
Garbage Bags
Brooms/Racks
Sponges, Scouring Pads
Buckets
Cleaning wipes
Gloves
Rags
Paper Towels
Mops
Laundry detergent
Insect repellant
Sunscreen
Toiletries
**Anything related to cleaning out a flooded property.

For more information on this relief effort, please call Cynthia Harmon at the Huntsville/Madison County Convention and Visitors Bureau at 256-551-2230.