Delaware North Companies participated recently in the dedication ceremony of a New Orleans Habitat for Humanity home in the Hurricane Katrina-ravaged city.
It is the second home the company has sponsored through the program; the new owner is Theresa Parker, who will live there with her children, Marcus and Mya.
“To Delaware North, AmeriCorps and all the sweet people that make this program possible for families like mine, I say thank you,” Parker says. “You are truly making dreams come true.”
To welcome the family into their new home, Master Chef Roland G. Henin prepared a meal in the house. Henin is the executive chef and chief culinary ambassador of global hospitality for Delaware North, and is one of only about 60 certified master chefs in the country.
Delaware North staff members worked for weeks to prepare the event, including shopping for special linens and dishes that would complement the new kitchen.
Matt King, president of Delaware North Companies Travel Hospitality Services, was present at the dedication event to honor the work of the organization and the volunteers.
“We are grateful that Delaware North could make a difference in this wonderful community and in the lives of the two families living in these homes,” he says.
Last fall, New Orleans natives Edward and Melody Ross became the owners of the first home completed with Delaware North funds. The couple lost everything in the storm, and worked with their two daughters and grandson, as well as Habitat volunteers, for months to build the home.
“New Orleans Habitat exists because of the generosity of our donors and the perseverance of our partner families,” says Jim Pate, executive director of New Orleans Habitat for Humanity. “Delaware North Companies and the Parkers have developed a strong partnership that has resulted in a home and a friendship that will last as long as the home.”
Delaware North and its associates responded to the effects of the hurricane by establishing Delaware North Companies KARE (Katrina Associate Relief Effort), a foundation designed to assist Delaware North employees with their immediate needs, including shelter, food and clothing.
“We’re proud to be able to contribute to the rebuilding of the New Orleans area,” King said. “The best part of the ceremony was meeting the family. They have a wonderful spirit and determination that will only further contribute to the success of the area and ongoing efforts to rebuild it.”
In other Delaware North news…
The company is believed to be the first airport concessionaire in the country to achieve International Organization for Standardization registration for its environmental management system at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International (FLL). It received its ISO 14001 certificate of registration earlier this month.
ISO 14001 is an internationally recognized set of standards for environmental management and many other systems. ISO’s 14001 environmental standards are designed to help organizations comply with related laws, regulations and requirements, and also to minimize how their operations affect the environment.
“This is an amazing accomplishment for Ft. Lauderdale airport, and it’s really been a team effort,” King says. “We’ve had strong support from the airport in this initiative and we’re proud of this achievement.”
