Westgate Resorts Foundation donates $250,000 to Gatlinburg community

By a News Reporter-Staff News Editor at Insurance Weekly News -- - At a rally this afternoon, Westgate Resorts President and CEO David Siegel announced a $250,000 donation from the Westgate Resorts Foundation to assist those impacted by the tragic wildfires that recently devastated the community. The donation will help those who lost their homes in the fires to rebuild or find new housing. At least 20 Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort & Spa team members were among the hundreds who lost homes.

Hosted by the Smoky Mountain Opry and its owner David Fee, community leaders, elected officials, first responders and more than 500 Westgate Resorts team members gathered to celebrate the reopening of the Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort & Spa, the largest resort and the largest employer in the area with 1,100 team members. The area's first responders also received a special tribute and Westgate's Adopt-A-Family program was highlighted, in which staff members identify and personally shop for families affected by the wildfires.

"These wildfires were tragic for the entire area, but we are confident that Gatlinburg will come back stronger than ever," said Siegel. "We're honored to do our part through this donation, our Adopt-A-Family program and our dedication to keep our team members working and guests coming to the area."

The Foundation's $250,000 commitment was not the only community investment announced. Westgate insurer AIG presented a $10 million check to Westgate at the event for immediate reinvestment in the resort.

"We are advancing $10 million to expedite resort reconstruction, and help this community begin the process of recovery," said Matthew F. Power, Executive Vice President and Head of Strategic Development for Lexington, AIG's excess and surplus lines insurer. "We share in Westgate's commitment to quickly rebuild this landmark resort, helping to bring tourists and jobs back to this special community as quickly as possible."

During the event, Westgate leaders awarded plaques to the local first responder organizations whose courageous actions saved many lives during the wildfire. Among those honored, was the Andersonville Volunteer Fire Department who rescued two guests trapped in an elevator inside a burning building at the Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort & Spa. The three firefighters responsible for the rescue, Matt Burrell, Lonnie Poore and James May, each received a seven-night vacation from Westgate industry partner Interval International, good at any of their resorts worldwide.

Westgate recognized several of their own team members who went above and beyond during the fires to help evacuate guests and ensure that everyone made it to safety.

While much of the Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort & Spa was damaged in the wildfire, 352 units and many of the amenities were unaffected by the blaze, including the resort's 60,000 square foot Wild Bear Falls Indoor Water Park, Marketplace, fitness center, swimming pool and original check-in building. With around-the-clock efforts by Westgate team members, the resort was able to open its first phase on Saturday Dec. 10. The resort is now accepting Smoky Mountain owner reservations by calling (800) 413-0923. For the latest information on the reconstruction efforts, visit HYPERLINK "http://www.wgsmokymountains.com/" nwww.wgsmokymountains.com

In addition to the $250,000 donation, the Westgate Resort Foundation is continuing a nationwide fundraising campaign to assist any individuals who lost homes in the community resulting from the wildfire. Visit HYPERLINK "http://www.westgateresortsfoundation.org/" nwww.westgateresortsfoundation.org to contribute.

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