The Above and Beyond Foundation, a nonprofit organization that recognizes and rewards hospitality industry professionals, has opened an online silent auction to raise funds for its 2024 grant programs. TAABF has continuously stepped in and provided immediate support to hospitality workers in times of crisis, such as mass layoffs during the pandemic and the devastating wildfires that swept through Maui this summer.
Immediately following the fires, TAABF awarded 30 Helping Hospitality Urgent Aid Grant Visa gift cards — each totaling $500 — to local hospitality staff who were chosen by their management as being the most in need. The nonprofit also collaborated with Northstar Meetings Group to present a $5,000 "Heart of Hospitality Award" at Northstar's Destination Hawaii event, held Nov. 7-9 at the Wailea Beach Resort – Marriott, Maui.
Brandon Kotter, lead banquet bartender at the hotel, was awarded the grant and given a standing ovation by the event attendees and his colleagues. Kotter was recognized for his passion to service excellence and his steadfast commitment to supporting the Maui community before, during and after the wildfires.
The organization also previously awarded $610,000 in grants during the Covid-19 crisis. The funds were distributed as $500 each to hotel workers across the country who lost their jobs during the first year of the pandemic.
Now, TAABF is raising funds for its 2024 grant programs. The auction, supported by Northstar Meetings Group, will accept bids until Dec. 14. Offers can be made and monitored on Bid Beacon. New users can register for the auction using the code: TAABF2023.
"We've had a phenomenal year awarding many grants to our frontline workers, and our Helping Hospitality Maui urgent-aid program has helped give immediate assistance to our colleagues on Maui affected by the fires," said Mary Jo Valentine Blythe, founder and CEO of TAABF. "Our end-of-year auction is an import cause, one we can all rally behind. We all know people who have served us so well but have been hit hard by the challenges we've faced these past few years."
Among the auction items are an all-inclusive hotel stay in Cancún, Mexico, and a golf getaway in Pebble Beach, Calif. Luxury hotel stays in Florida, Las Vegas, New York and other destinations are also up for bid, along with airline tickets, spa packages, unique destination experiences and incentive gift merchandise. Bids start as low as $50 for some packages.
