Global restaurateur HMSHost raised $100K for the Red Cross to support Typhoon Haiyan relief efforts

BETHESDA, MD, 2014-3-3 — /Travel PR News/ — Following the aftermath of Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines, global restaurateur HMSHost activated a national effort to raise funds for the Red Cross to support disaster victims. The effort included a collection of associate donations, a company match, and customer donations at cash registers, totaling $100,000, and was recently presented to the Red Cross.

“We are so proud of our associates and customers who helped us make this donation possible, but we are also so grateful for the ability to support the Red Cross and the countless people they provide aid for every day,” said HMSHost President and CEO Tom Fricke. “The Red Cross never takes a day off and Typhoon Haiyan is just one tragic example of a devastating natural disaster being improved by their efforts. HMSHost commends the Red Cross for all they do to support local, national, and international disasters.”

“We appreciate so very much this generous support from HMSHost,” said Linda Mathes, CEO of the American Red Cross in the National Capital Region. “This major contribution will help thousands of men, women and children who are suffering in the aftermath of Typhoon Haiyan. HMSHost’s support will help the Red Cross provide for basic needs and comfort to all. We are especially grateful that HMSHost not only helps the Red Cross deliver emergency aid around the world, they also have contributed for disaster relief right here in our community.”

Quick disaster response is a key part of HMSHost’s overall yearly community outreach efforts, and ongoing support for the Red Cross is an essential part of HMSHost’s ability to effectively help during these tragedies. Similar to the Haiyan efforts, in October 2012 the company raised over $120,000 and directly donated $20,000 to the Red Cross for Hurricane Sandy relief. HMSHost also believes in the importance of supporting the Red Cross and the community through blood drives, and has hosted numerous drives since 2006 at its corporate headquarters in Bethesda, Maryland.

ABOUT HMSHOST
Global restaurateur HMSHost is a world leader in creating dining for travel venues. HMSHost operates in more than 100 airports around the globe, including the 20 busiest airports in North America. The Company has annual sales in excess of $2.7 billion and employs more than 30,000 sales associates worldwide. HMSHost is a part of Autogrill Group, the world’s leading provider of food & beverage and retail services for people on the move. With sales of over €6 billion in 2012, the Group operates in 38 countries and employs some 63,000 people. It manages approximately 5,300 stores in approximately 1,200 locations worldwide. Visit www.HMSHost.com for more information. We can also be found on Facebook at fb.com/HMSHost and Twitter @HMSHost.

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