Though we take pride in our successes and our ability to operate and manage hotels to their utmost potential, we never lose site of or forget those who helped us get to where we are. With that in mind, we are never hesitant to reach out to the local community and give back to those who are need. Since the inception of HMA Hotels, we have been actively involved and very proud sponsors of the following organizations:

OPERATION HOMEFRONT

One of our principal owners, Huck Oberlin, is a Board Member with the St. Louis Chapter of Operation Homefront. Operation Homefront has provided emergency assistance and morale support to our troops and to the families they leave behind, and to wounded warriors when they return home. Some of the aid includes: Emergency Aid (Food, baby care items, vehicles), Computer Program (Allows children and spouses to stay in touch with their loved one)and Financial Assistance Program (Crises such as illness, homelessness and death). Recently our Holiday Inn Airport West hosted a reception or Welcome Home organizers in our Marquette ballroom.

BIG BROTHERS / BIG SISTERS

Every year, the Holiday Inns of St. Louis (South County, Riverport and West) are actively involved in raising money for Big Brothers and Big Sisters. Big Brothers Big Sisters has been the leader in one-to-one youth service for more than a century, developing positive relationships that have a direct and lasting impact on the lives of young people ages 6 to 18. By participating in our youth mentoring programs, Little Brothers and Sisters are:
 
• More confident in their schoolwork performance
• Able to get along better with their families
• 46% less likely to begin using illegal drugs
• 27% less likely to begin using alcohol
• 52% less likely to skip school.1

Over the last couple years, the St. Louis Holiday Inn have raised over $20,000 for Big Brothers / Big Sisters through a “Bowl for Kids Sake” Event that is held at a local bowling alley.

CHILDREN’S MIRACLE NETWORK

Children’s Miracle Network of Greater St. Louis generates funds and awareness for the benefit of children served by St. Louis Children’s Hospital and Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center. Each year HMA Hotels takes an active role in organizing and fund raising for two large events giving back directly to this great cause:

• St. Louis County Fair and Air Show – Huck Oberlin has spent many of the previous years as a Committee Member and HMA has been instrumental in providing goods and services to aid volunteers as well as generate valuable donations. Recently the success of this event was evident through a $250,000 donation to the Children’s Miracle Network.
• “Scramble For Kids” charity golf event – Held at St. Alban’s Country Club, and with donations from local corporations and celebrities, this event raises more than $100,000 a year for Children’s Miracle Network. HMA has been an active member of the Fundraising and Silent Auction Committees for the last 6 years.

With events such as these, the Children’s Miracle Network of Greater St. Louis raises over $2 million a year for our two pediatric institutions. Since its inception in St. Louis in 1988, CMN has donated over $28-million to our two outstanding children’s hospitals.

Nationally, the 170 Children’s Miracle Network hospitals are there 24 hours a day to help kids of every age and background overcome every imaginable disease and injury—from asthma and broken bones to cancer, heart defects, pediatric AIDS, muscular dystrophy and serious injuries. These children’s hospitals are also on the front lines of preventing disease and injury through research, education and outreach programs that keep millions of kids out of the hospital each year.

UNITED WAY

United Way is a national network of nearly 1,300 local organizations that work to advance the common good by focusing on education, income and health. These are the building blocks for a good life: a quality education that leads to a stable job, enough income to support a family through retirement, and good health. Common focus areas include helping children and youth achieve their potential, promoting financial stability and independence, and improving people’s health. Our goal is to create long-lasting changes by addressing the underlying causes of problems.

Each year, in partnership with our local clients, HMA Hotels donates free night stays, meals in our franchised restaurants and giveaways to raise money for these needy families.

MARCH OF DIMES

March of Dimes is dedicated to improving the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality. At our HMA Hotels we bring fundraising to our team member level by asking them to make a small donation. In exchange for this small donation, our employees are allowed to dress casual on Fridays with buttons stating, “I’m Casual For Kids”. On the corporate / ownership level we have been actively involved on the Board Level as well as the ground floor labor in the following March of Dimes events:
• Bikers for Babies
• Star Chef’s Auction
• St. Louis Blues Golf Tournament
• Walk America