From The Trussville Tribune staff reports
TRUSSVILE — Workers at area Hilton hotels next week will be offering their service to more than just their guests.
Each year, Hilton hotels worldwide hold Global Week of Service, a 7-day period in which employees contribute their time and energy to a non-profit program.
This year, Hilton Garden Inn Birmingham/Trussville will work from Monday to Oct. 22 during the Global Week of Service to assist Serving You Ministries, an organization based in Birmingham that was founded in Trussville.
Tonya Zapata, general manager of Hilton Garden Inn Birmingham/Trussville, said the hotel, along with several area corporate partners, are collecting plastic bags for the ministry that helps those in need. These bags will be useful in the ministry’s efforts that include the operation of a food pantry.
Zapata said the organization also collects baby items, toiletry items, hygiene items and groceries for distribution to those need.
“We wanted to pick an organization with ties to Trussville,” Zapata said about her hotel’s decision to support Serving You Ministries, which was originally launched 10 years ago through Northpark Baptist Church.
Bill Wilks, senior pastor at Northpark Baptist Church, said Serving You Ministries was relocated to the East Lake community in Birmingham because its founders felt the organization would be able to better serve more of those in need in a more densely populated area. The organization’s headquarters are at 6523 1st Ave. North in Birmingham.
Zapata said Global Service Week is truly a global effort. Last year she said Hilton hotels in 93 countries took part in the week of charity. She added that workers at the hotels donated 291,620 volunteer hours to benefit 4,166 projects.
“All Hiltons worldwide get together to pick a service project,” she said.
Zapata added that the following partners will serve as collection sites for those who want to donate plastic shopping bags to benefit Serving You Ministries.
— Cadence Bank
—The Trussville Chamber of Commerce
—BB&T
—Vulcan Tire
—Hilton Garden Inn
—Bryant Bank
—Amerex
—Hampton Inn by Hilton
—Northpark baptist church
“Serving you ministry is a great cause,” Zapata said.
Wilks agreed.
“It is a wonderful ministry that helps with financial counseling,” he said. Wilks added that his church sends about 100 volunteers to help Serving You Ministry each week.
One Comment
Kelsey Reed
Love love love our Hilton Garden Inn!! We had our wedding reception there and it was nothing short of spectacular. Keep up the good work guys! You’ll always have our business!