Vacation Myrtle Beach Donates More Than $10,000 to the American Cancer Society

Dec 17, 2012 9:00 AM ET

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C., December 17, 2012 /3BL Media/PRNewswire/ -- Vacation Myrtle Beach resorts presented a check to the American Cancer Society on Monday for $10,852.65.

The resort group raised these funds throughout the month of October and into November for breast cancer research, awareness and support. They presented the check to Melany Mader of the American Cancer Society at Beach Colony Resort on Monday morning.

"We are honored to accept this check today and we are grateful for the support that the Myrtle Beach community and visitors have shown," said Mader.

The resort group held various fundraising events and promotions throughout the fundraising period, including asking guests for donations both at check-in and during the reservation process, said Matt Klugman of Vacation Myrtle Beach.

"Our guests as well as employees were very receptive to the cause," said Klugman. "Most all of them have been touched by cancer in some way, shape or form and being able to donate meant a lot to them."

Resorts were given the task of raising funds but were able to choose creative ways to do so, said Klugman. The Caravelle Resort, for example, held a one-day spaghetti dinner fundraiser, which sold hundreds of plates to the community and Palace Resort hosted a chicken bog dinner.

"That fundraising effort drew in locals, employees, guests and snowbirds who wanted to help by purchasing a plate," said Klugman. "We even had a lot of groups ordering multiple to-go orders." 

Ocean Creek Resort, Landmark Resort and Beach Cove are just a few of the resorts that held bake sales throughout the fundraising process, he said. They sold cookies, pies, brownies and cupcakes, many of which were adorned with pink frosting or the symbolic pink ribbon. Sea Watch Resort sold candy Hershey Kisses for "Kisses for a Cure" fundraiser along with their bake sale.

Many resorts also had wear-pink-to-work days throughout October. One resort, hotel BLUE, turned their usually blue lights pink for the month and hosted a pumpkin decorating competition where guests who donated $1 could vote on which department's pumpkin they liked the best.

Loco Gecko restaurant also participated by donating 25 percent of their sales over four days to the American Cancer Society.Guests who donated for the cause were able to put their name on a card to be hung on the wall behind each check-in counter.

"Seeing the amount of cards hanging on the walls and all the names of people who donated was just amazing," said Mader. "I was blown away by the support."

This is the second year Vacation Myrtle Beach raised money for breast cancer, said Klugman, and they plan to continue with this tradition of support by making it an annual cause. The resort group is currently collecting donations of funds and toys for Toys for Tots. These can be dropped off at any resort until Dec. 15.

Read more here: PR Newswire (http://s.tt/1wAM1)