First, Welcome. This "manager's blog" is something we have been planning for some time now, and I was going to have my first entry ready in a few weeks with an introduction, but recent events have encouraged me to change that plan.
Today I simply want to say, "WOW!"
Earlier this week a huge lightning storm started many fires in the hills around us. I've been told that over a hundred fires are spread throughout four counties nearby. That is not terribly uncommon for our area, but it seems like this year the fires spread fast and came much closer to homes. That being said, I woke up yesterday morning and checked my email to see that Steven (our owner who lives in this community) had sent out an invitation. It gave his condolences to those affected, and stated that he would be giving away rooms in our hotel to those who received a "level 3: must evacuate" notice. We received many skeptical calls, but wound up giving a room to everyone who had been evacuated at no cost right up until our very last room was given away - not just a few set aside while we hoped to sell the rest; no, it was right up until the last room. That was so humbling seeing the generosity of our community in action.
But that wasn't the end of it. In fact, once word spread through social media, local radio station hosts, newspapers and such we started receiving a different kind of call. People were calling in to offer their services from donating personal care items, delivering prepared meals to those displaced, serving hot meals out of our kitchen, and a few people just came by to drop off toys for the children of families who had been displaced, simply stating that they didn't want the kids to be scared through the tragedy.
When all of us at the hotel started the day, I don't think any of us expected word to spread so fast or wide. We never would have guessed how many other families simply wanted to help their neighbors out. Again, I just wanted to say how refreshing it is to see such community spirit. Wow.
Marshall Tramp, CHA, HOST - General Manager
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Article summary: How the Wenatchee wildfires of 2012 affected the community
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