The Tribune

THE MELIA Nassau Beach hotel raised more than $90,000 for Hurricane Matthew relief through the Melia CARES (Comforting and Repairing Everyone’s Spirits) initiative coupled with the resort’s employee relief donations.

On October 21, the hotel opened its doors and hearts to the Bahamian community for a special $99 rate. The response from the community was overwhelming, exceeding the resort’s booking quota by 16 per cent. All proceeds from the initiative will be donated to The Nazareth Centre.

“We are encouraged by the immense support from our community and pleased to partner with The Nazareth Centre to help restore those families who were hardest hit by Hurricane Matthew,” said Pablo Cogolludo, general manager of the hotel.

“I am incredibly proud of our team who pulled together to make this initiative such a success, at a time when they themselves were still reeling from the storm.”

The all inclusive hotel invested $75,000 on associate relief packages for their employees. Each employee received vouchers for grocery, gas and water provisions in the days following Hurricane Matthew.

Further donations collectively valued at more than $3,000 were made to The Royal Bahamas Police Force and Gambier Primary School.

The resort will continue to partner with several local charities to provide assistance and support where needed.