Whether one is hit with a sudden illness or is a victim of a natural disaster, having a network of industry peers that can extend a helping hand can be a lifeline in times of trouble. For those in the hospitality industry, the SEARCH Foundation is that lifeline.

The unconditional love of a loyal dog can soften the hardest edges—and experiences—of the toughest among us. A new program offered by Pechanga Resort & Casino embodies that concept by pairing service dogs with their veteran and first responder owners who are living with PTSD.

Doing good on a grand scale is all in a day’s work for Richard McNary, who heads up the meetings industry effort for The Outreach Program, a nonprofit organization that enlists meetings delegates, among others, for CSR teambuilding activities that create meals for the needy on an industrial scale.

NGALA Wildlife Preserve, located on a private, wooded 42-acre property outside Naples, Florida, caters to corporate events and is a home for a variety of rescued animals that cannot be reintroduced back to the wild. NGALA, which translates from Swahili to “Place of the Lion,” was founded by Donovan Smith nearly 20 years ago and is currently home to about 45 animals in addition to over 100 venomous reptiles introduced to the preserve by Smith’s “better half,” Khara Geders.

After all New Orleans has been through following Hurricane Katrina, it’s no wonder hospitality community leaders there are so tuned in to giving back. But one would be hard-pressed to find a more dedicated community member than Michael Smith, general manager of the Hyatt Regency New Orleans, who with his team members rose to the occasion during the cataclysmic hurricane and has set a frantic philanthropic pace following the storm.

Groups staying at Omni Hotels & Resorts properties can rest easy knowing that as their head hits the pillow a credit for their stay is helping alleviate hunger in the community where the hotel is located. Since its beginnings two years ago, Omni’s Say Goodnight to Hunger program has resulted in more than 13 million meals being donated to local food banks in each of the markets its 60 hotels are located in, and the spirit of giving doesn’t end there.

After finding herself tasked with planning a portion of the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers' 2018 Annual Member Meeting, Jill A. Notini turned to Lulubelle Animal Rescue and brought in some adorable puppies!

While he’s known as one of the top meetings technology educators in the industry, a lesser-known aspect of Jim Spellos’ contribution to both the meetings industry and those with an acute need of nutrition is his efforts working with Rock and Wrap It Up!, an award-winning anti-poverty think tank.

Since January 2018, Sookman has volunteered her time to Women’s Empowerment, a Sacramento, Calif.-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that has helped more than 1,300 homeless women secure housing, a job or enroll in school or training programs.

When 35-year meeting planning veteran Sandy Biback retired she found out her work was not finished. But instead of continuing to be tasked with the myriad responsibilities of managing meetings and her Toronto-based independent meeting planning business, she set out to help some of the most vulnerable, and often forgotten, members of our society: victims of human trafficking.