The Maine Innkeepers annual Hospitality for Habitat fundraiser for Habitat for Humanity was the most successful to date announced Greg Dugal, president and CEO of the Maine Innkeepers Association. The program which offers visitors to Maine a 50 percent reduction on spring room rates in return for a $35 donation to Habitat for Humanity raised over $26000. to help build or repair homes for Maine families.

According to Dugal this year’s results were simply amazing as the fundraiser was $3,000 ahead of last year’s contributions. “The combined effort of Innkeepers and visitor’s to Maine has resulted in a huge increase in donations. The program has been around long enough that more travelers are making annual plans to visit some of Maine’s best Inns resorts hotels or B&B’s in the early spring to take advantage of huge discounts while supporting an important cause.”

This year’s contributions will be given to representatives of the 7 Rivers, Mid-Coast and York County Habitat for Habitat chapter and shared equally with chapters all around the state. On top of the increase in donations Maine Innkeepers were recognized by Down East Magazine in their July issues for the ‘Best Feel Good Lodging Deal’ the award stating that “Hotel pillows feel fluffier when you know your stay has a positive impact.”

Leading the donations raised this year was the Village by the Sea in Wells where G.M. Gail Phillips and her staff raised an incredible $10,142 followed by the Harraseeket Inn in Freeport at $2,730, Newcastle Inn in Newcastle with $2,565 and the Beachmere Inn in Ogunquit with $2,350. Almost $180,000 has been raised since the program began in 2004 for Habitat projects in Maine.

“Hospitality for Habitat had their best year after the inspiration for the program, Marian Burns of the Mira Monte Inn in Bar Harbor, passed away,” stated Dugal. “ This is a tribute to her and her efforts on behalf of Hospitality for Habitat. “