Diamond Resorts International(R) Assists the Women of Haiti
Global hospitality provider pulls its custom uniform inventory and sends to the Haitian Congress to Fortify Haiti
Las Vegas, NV (PRWEB) February 10, 2010
Diamond Resorts International® (DRI), a global leader in the vacation ownership industry, has today announced the donation of its current inventory of custom designed island wear to assist the women of Haiti with a basic necessity.
"We had to do something," said Stephen J. Cloobeck, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Diamond Resorts International®. "The world is responding to the people of Haiti and as I watch the images of destruction bring this tragedy into my home, creating a reality of suffering in so many aspects, I knew that we had to do something. And that something had to make a difference."
Launched just three years ago, the Diamond brand is a young company emerging through one of the most challenging economic times in recent history. Cloobeck struggled with finding an avenue of relief that would help the people of Haiti. "We are a hospitality company that makes a difference in the everyday lives of our owners and members -- we're not a healthcare or financial services provider -- but I knew there had to be some small difference we could make for the people of Haiti. And then I saw the women washing their children in the streets, hanging the only clothes they survived with over fences and makeshift tents and I realized that we could do something. We could give the women a basic necessity and hope to restore some of their dignity. The Haitians are a resilient culture -- a proud people -- and if Diamond could provide some small gesture of hope and care to the women of Haiti, we would be humbled to do so."
Working with the Haitian Congress to Fortify Haiti, Diamond has arranged to ship more than 2,400 custom designed dresses and 3,800 silk scarves to the island nation. Originally created for resort staff uniforms at resorts in St. Maarten and Hawaii, Diamond Resorts International® owns and operates timeshare resorts in a variety of destinations throughout the world. "I contacted our executive staff and said 'pull the stock off the shelves and ship our women's apparel to Haiti.' As is typical of my team members worldwide, they immediately began coordinating this relief effort. It's what we do at Diamond. We are a family and we respond to the needs of our customers every day. And today, the people of Haiti are our customers." As the Haitian Congress to Fortify Haiti schedules medical supplies for transport into the devastated nation first, they are appreciative of the gesture and, according to Aline Lauture, Executive Director, our "generous donation of beautiful dresses and silk scarves is yet another way we can help our Haitian women dress up to feel good about themselves after such a terrible tragedy. On behalf of the Haitian people, once again we extend our thanks."
Annually, nearly 1.4 million owners, members and guests enjoy the simplicity, choice and comfort Diamond Resorts International® offers through our branded hospitality experience.
Diamond Resorts International®, with global headquarters in Las Vegas, Nev., is one of the largest vacation ownership companies in the world with more than 160 branded and affiliated resorts and over 24,000 guest beds in 26 countries with destinations throughout the continental United States and Hawaii, Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, Europe, Asia, Australia and Africa. Offering simplicity, choice and comfort to more than 400,000 owners and members through the branded hospitality service of more than 5,500 team members worldwide, Diamond Resorts International® is dedicated to providing its guests with effortless and relaxing vacation experiences every time, for a lifetime. To learn more, visit DiamondResorts. com.
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