HFTP Helps will feature a Silent Auction to benefit the disaster relief fund of the Northwest Region American Red Cross

AUSTIN, TEXAS, USA (September 17, 2015) — Global hospitality association Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP®) is adding to its hugely successful community giving efforts with HFTP Helps. The first portion of the program, HITEC Helps, first held this year in Austin, Texas to support the United Way for Greater Austin during the Hospitality Industry Technology Exposition & Conference (HITEC) raised over $15,000 USD in support of the Austin-areas’ Memorial Day flood victims. Riding off of the enormous outreach from HFTP members and HITEC participants, HFTP has decided to create HFTP Helps, which will identify and serve a need in a community near the location of their Annual Convention & Tradeshow each October.

“I was overwhelmed by the amount of giving that occurred during HITEC Helps, so I suggested that we create a ‘Helps’ program in which the HFTP community could continue to give back at other points of the year,” noted HFTP Incoming President, Arlene Ramirez, CHAE, CHE, MBA principal at ADR Hospitality Consulting. “Helping out the communities that support us is an important goal.”

This year, HFTP Helps will benefit the disaster relief fund of the Northwest Region American Red Cross. Participants will help people affected by disasters, such as the western wildfires and countless other crises. Each monetary donation and silent auction gift enables the Red Cross to prepare for, respond to and help people recover from disasters big and small. Join HFTP in assisting the American Red Cross as they prevent and alleviate human suffering in the face of emergencies by mobilizing the power of volunteers and the generosity of donors.

HFTP Helps will be comprised of a silent auction on October 23 at the Hyatt Regency Bellevue in Bellevue, Wash. during HFTP’s Annual Convention & Tradeshow. Attendees will have the option to bid on numerous items such as hotel stays, rounds of golf and bottles of wine from donors around the world. The silent auction will be held during the Annual Convention & Tradeshow’s President’s Evening. For those who wish to simply donate funds, an online portal has been set-up for convenience.

Diane Estner, CEO of DANNI Enterprises, is graciously serving as this year’s donations coordinator for HFTP Helps. “I’m thankful to support the success of HFTP HELPS and be a part of giving back to the pacific NW communities affected by the wildfire losses this season,” explains Estner.

If you are interested in donating an auction item, please contact HFTP Helps 2015 donations coordinator DANNI Enterprises LLC/Diane Estner at [email protected] or complete the online donations form. To donate funds online, please use this link: http://www.redcross.org/cm/hftp-pub.