1. 1/13/2016 Newsroom ­ Article ­ Giving Thanks: A Message from Our South Carolina Colleagues
https://me2.ihgmerlin.com/web/news/article?id=42667996 1/3
Giving Thanks: A Message from Our South
Carolina Colleagues
Contact Carley.Gaynes@ihg.com 24 Nov 2015
How your donaĕons to IHG® Shelter in a Storm made a difference for colleagues affected by floods in South
Carolina.
They were calling it a “1,000­year flood” before the rain even stopped. Entire towns were under water and rescue
teams plucked hundreds of residents from stranded cars and flooded homes all over South Carolina. Lives were lost
and thousands were left with major storm damage and shocked by the massive clean­up ahead.
At the Charleston Reservation Office (CHSRO), colleagues were pleased to learn IHG Shelter in a Storm was
activated immediately following the floods to provide assistance. Managers quickly pulled together a list of those who
were significantly impacted and 49 colleagues received assistance within days. Here are a few of their stories and
messages of thanks to everyone who contributes to the IHG Shelter Fund.
Voice Agent Fornesha Griffin said Oct. 3, 2015, is a date she’ll never forget. Fornesha had experienced hurricanes
and storms before, but this one was different. After two days of rain, a pond formed in her backyard. Water seeped
into her laundry room, the kitchen and, ultimately, engulfed the entire first floor, forcing her family to seek refuge
upstairs. After the flooding subsided and Fornesha returned to work, colleagues were talking about IHG Shelter in a
Storm and her manager informed her that she was eligible for assistance.
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2. 1/13/2016 Newsroom ­ Article ­ Giving Thanks: A Message from Our South Carolina Colleagues
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Fornesha said, “You never think something like this will happen to you.
The assistance helped tremendously with the cleanup and getting things
back to normal. We are so grateful to everyone for their donations. I know
there are a lot of organizations out there you could support, but this one
really makes a difference for our colleagues.”
As the rain came pouring down,
the roof in Sales Agent Phil
Eyraud’s mobile home sprang
several leaks. The assistance he
received helped keep Phil and his
family safe during this traumatic
experience. As a way to show his
appreciation, he and his family
collected extra canned goods for a
recent food drive that was going
on at work.
Phil said, “I was blown away that IHG did that for us. I’m thankful we had a chance to give back with the food drive.
My team got so into it, we came out on top with the most donations.”
Reservation Sales Specialist Melissa Wilson was caught off guard when the
power went out around 10 p.m. that Saturday night. She was at home with
her four children, including a hungry baby. There was no stove, no
microwave, not a candle in the house. Melissa looked out the back door and
saw nothing but water. Then, it started coming in the house, flooding the
entire first floor and soaking the carpet upstairs. The air conditioning unit
was ruined, along with their clothes, coats, shoes and bedding.
Melissa managed to get her family over to her mom’s house and went right
back to work that Monday. She was relieved to learn there was help for
colleagues in immediate need. Melissa was reimbursed for essential living
supplies and clothing for her children, as major repairs are being done on
her house.
Even though her roof nearly collapsed from high winds and falling tree branches, Voice Reservations Team
Manager Kimberly Gibbs feels fortunate compared to others who lost entire homes and cars in the flood. She was
completely stunned to receive assistance just a few days after the storm.
Kimberly said, “I had tears rolling down my face. I was just amazed at the helping hand extended to me. The first
thing I thought about was all the colleagues around the globe who keep fundraising with dress down days and other

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activities. You really make a difference. I was so touched by the show of
kindness, and I really want everyone to know how much I appreciate it.”
In sum a total of 89 colleagues throughout South Carolina from 13 hotels
and the CHSRO received vital assistance from IHG Shelter in a Storm. In
addition, IHG contributed $30,000 to the American Red Cross to support its
on­the­ground relief efforts for affected local communities.
Thank you for your continued support of IHG Shelter in a Storm. Your
contributions help us keep the IHG Shelter Fund replenished so we’re ready
to help when disaster strikes. Visit the IHG Shelter in a Storm website for
more information, to make a donation or to download our fundraising pack.
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TRACEY HUSTEAD
Posted on 09 Dec 2015
I am the general manager at the Staybridge Suites in North Charleston and I would like to commend Carlye Gaynes with Shelter in a
Storm. She was a HUGE help and very empathetic to me and my staff. Thank you Carlye for all you do. Tracey Hustead
Faustino Palomino
Posted on 01 Dec 2015
Estoy de a cuerdo es una bendicion tener fondos para este tipo de desastres felicidades.
Roosevelt Winters
Posted on 28 Nov 2015
It is truly a blessing to have the IHG Shelter Fund in place especially for colleagues/family when the need arrives.