Bruce and Beth White Family Foundation Donates $65K to Get Homeless 'Back on Their Feet' in Indianapolis

MERRILLVILLE, Ind., May 30, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Back on My Feet (BoMF), a nonprofit organization that promotes the self-sufficiency of people experiencing homelessness by engaging them in running, is the proud recipient of a $65,000 gift from the Bruce and Beth White Family Foundation.  The funding will help Back on My Feet Indianapolis move more people experiencing homelessness toward employment and independent housing.

(Logo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120210/DE51498LOGO )

This gift is the largest contribution to the Back on My Feet Indianapolis chapter this year and was awarded during the chapter's May Birthday Luncheon honoring Dave Sibley, President and CEO of Hospitality Management for White Lodging.  Bruce White, the foundation's namesake, is the Chairman and CEO of White Lodging, a company that owns, develops and manages premium hotel brands.

In 2011, White Lodging donated more than $288,000 to Back on My Feet in financial and in-kind support.  The partnership goes well beyond funding as White Lodging works with the nonprofit to hire individuals experiencing homelessness who participate in the BoMF program and qualify for jobs with the company. 

"The Back on My Feet Indianapolis Birthday Luncheon was a huge success thanks to generous assistance and contributions from White Lodging! This level of financial and programmatic support enables us to move more people experiencing homelessness toward self-sufficiency and strengthens our Indianapolis chapter," said Anne Mahlum, Founder and CEO, Back on My Feet.

Back on My Feet Indianapolis will use the funding in a variety of ways including support for the organization's "Next Steps" phase of its program where Members earn access to financial aid, employment, training and housing opportunities. 

"I am proud to be part of such a group of people that genuinely care about taking care of others and striving to be the best at what they do," said Sibley. "I was in tears at the Back on My Feet Indianapolis Birthday Luncheon listening to the stories of the people who have been helped. The most touching moment for me was after it was all over and a war veteran, who is a BoMF Member, came up and thanked me. (He said without BoMF Indianapolis) he would have a life with no hope.  Now he has a job at the Champions restaurant in the Indianapolis Marriott, his managers encourage him and care about him, and he has a new lease on life."

About White Lodging:  White Lodging was established in 1985 and is headquartered in Merrillville, Ind. White Lodging is a fully integrated hotel ownership, development and operations company -- a recognized leader that has defined and cultivated the ability to achieve consistent, sustainable growth among mid- to large-scale hotels across the country. Its current portfolio consists of more than 158 hotels in 20 states and encompasses representation of the following leading brands: Preferred Hotels, Marriott International, Inc., Hilton Worldwide, Hyatt Global, Starwood Hotels and Resorts, InterContinental Hotel Group and Carlson Hotels Worldwide.

For more information about White Lodging, please visit www.whitelodging.com.

About Back on My Feet: Back on My Feet (BoMF) is a national nonprofit organization that is dedicated to creating independence and self-sufficiency within the homeless and other underserved populations by first engaging them in running as a means to build confidence, strength and self-esteem.  Back on My Feet has chapters in Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington DC, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Indianapolis, Atlanta and New York City, and plans to expand to the West Coast in 2013. Back on My Feet is nationally recognized for its approach in tackling homelessness and has been featured on NBC Nightly News , ABC World News, CNN and The Today Show.  Find out more at backonmyfeet.org.

Media Contact:
Rachelle Damminger, VP Communications
[email protected]
215.772.1080

Kathleen Quilligan
Corporate Communications Manager
White Lodging Services
[email protected]
219.472.2861

SOURCE White Lodging

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