Tom O’Shea, Senior VP of Benchmark Hospitality International and Resident Regional Director of Chaminade Resort & Spa Receives Volunteer of the Year Award
United Way of Santa Cruz County officially recognizes Tom O’Shea for his continuous support and volunteer work throughout Santa Cruz County
Santa Cruz, CA, May 10, 2006 … Recently, the United Way of Santa Cruz County awarded Tom O’Shea, resident regional director of Chaminade Resort & Spa, the Volunteer of the Year Award. This prestigious award is given annually to residents of Santa Cruz County who contribute significantly to the community through volunteer work and extensive fund raising. O’Shea is also senior vice president for Benchmark Hospitality International, which is headquartered in The Woodlands (Houston), Texas, and operates Chaminade.
Mr. O’Shea has been an active participant with the United Way for over 10 years and has served on the United Way of Santa Cruz County Board of Trustees, the Women in Philanthropy committee, as Head of the United Way Development Committee, and assumed a major leadership role in the “Covering California’s Children” initiative. He has also served on the United Way Corporate Golf Challenge Committee, the Women's Crisis Support/Defensa de Mujeres Board of Directors, was a past United Way Fundraising Campaign Cabinet Chair, and is currently active in the Santa Cruz Business Council Board of Directors and the Santa Cruz County Chambers of Commerce.
Chaminade at Santa Cruz recognizes the value of active participation in and in giving back to the community, said Tom O'Shea stated. We believe by contributing locally and helping others we improve the quality of life for everyone in our community.
As an integral part of Benchmark Hospitality International’s Hometown Hospitality Caring Four Our Community literacy initiative, Mr. O’Shea was also instrumental in creating the “English as a Second Language” program at Chaminade Resort & Spa. This program allows Chaminade employees to participate in classes to improve English as their second language and to develop the every day knowledge needed to be successful within the United States. Training on filing income taxes, paying bills, opening a bank account, establishing credit and many more important skills are available as part of the employees’ English language training.
Mr. O’Shea’s newest endeavor is leading the development of the “Covering California’s Children” initiative that will appear on the November ballot for the state of California. This initiative strives to provide health care for every child in the state both through corporate reform of employee benefits programs and through a proposed tax on tobacco that will help to fund this and other health service initiatives. For this initiative, the United Way has joined along with sixteen other California United Ways organizations to engage in dialog with the region’s corporate business leadership to raise awareness of and to find solutions for California’s 800,000 children who are without health insurance. For more information on this initiative, visit http://www.yourlocalunitedway.org/
United Way of Santa Cruz County, http://www.unitedwaysc.org/, United Way of Santa Cruz County is at the forefront of building partnerships and securing resources to address critical needs and solve community problems in Santa Cruz County. Although part of a nationwide network, United Way of Santa Cruz County is an independent not-for-profit organization committed to improving the quality of life for the people of Santa Cruz County.
Benchmark Hospitality International
Hometown Hospitality Initiative Benchmark Hospitality International’s Hometown Hospitality Caring For Our Community Program represents the unwavering service commitment of Benchmark employees to their customers and their communities. In a constantly changing world, Benchmark advocates responsible corporate citizenship. Benchmark believes that their properties, people and vision can make a difference in the lives of many around the globe.
The diverse individuals that make up the core of the Benchmark company are what bind Benchmark as a family. This uniquely committed group shares a common culture. These values of this culture are expressed with words like respect, compassion, challenge and change. Caring for their communities is not a pastime but a passion. Benchmark believes that everyone deserves to feel welcome, wherever they are. At Benchmark, everyone matters. For more information, visit http://www.benchmarkhospitality.com/
Chaminade Resort & Spa, a full-service resort and spa, www.chaminade.com, offers world-class hospitality on the California Coast. Built high on a bluff, the mission-style luxury resort commands a panoramic view of the Monterey Bay and the Santa Cruz Mountains. Chaminade’s superior location offers a sense of peaceful seclusion only minutes from world-renowned golf, beaches and downtown Santa Cruz. The remarkable setting combined with the renowned quality and personalized service of Benchmark Hospitality keeps guests coming back time and time again. At Chaminade, our goal is to exceed the expectations of guests during their stay at one of the finest resorts in the Bay Area.
Benchmark Hospitality International
Benchmark Hospitality International, an independent hospitality management company based in The Woodlands (Houston), Texas, operates resorts, conference centers, hotels and condominium resorts both domestically and internationally. For locations of Benchmark Hospitality properties and for additional information, visit Benchmark's Website at www.benchmarkhospitality.com.
Media Contact
Alastar Connor
831-465-3404 / 800-283-6569
sconnor@benchmarkmanagement.com
