At Grand Pacific Resorts, creating memorable vacation experiences starts with the people who make it possible. From warm welcomes to thoughtful details, our Housekeeping Associates play a vital role in bringing hospitality to life.
Each year, we celebrate their dedication through Cleaning for a Cause: Housekeeping Olympics Benefiting Christel House. This event combines friendly competition, teamwork, and giving back, highlighting the incredible work of our Housekeeping teams while supporting a meaningful cause.
This year was especially noteworthy, as Cleaning for a Cause raised $66,000 to help support 11 students at Christel House Mexico for an entire year.
Celebrating the Heart of Hospitality
Behind every exceptional vacation is a team of Associates who work tirelessly to ensure our resorts are welcoming and ready for our Guests. The Housekeeping Olympics shines a spotlight on these hardworking teams, giving them a chance to showcase their skills, connect with colleagues, and celebrate their contributions.
But this event is about more than celebration. It’s about making a difference. Cleaning for a Cause unites the Grand Pacific Resorts family around a shared purpose: supporting children and families through education and essential resources.
Honoring Christel DeHaan’s Legacy
This year’s event held special significance, coinciding with what would have been the 84th birthday of Christel DeHaan, founder of Christel House. Christel believed every child deserves the opportunity to build a brighter future, and her legacy lives on through Christel House’s work to break the cycle of poverty through quality education and comprehensive support.
Supporting Christel House Mexico holds particular meaning for us, as many of our Housekeeping Associates share cultural and personal ties to Mexico. Celebrating Christel’s birthday while raising funds for students in this community made the event even more meaningful.
“Christel believed that every child deserved the opportunity to reach their full potential, regardless of the circumstances they were born into. To see Grand Pacific Resorts celebrate her birthday by bringing people together in support of our students is incredibly meaningful. Their
continued generosity helps carry her vision forward, creating opportunities for young people to build brighter futures.” — Tal Gilad, Senior Vice President of Development, Christel House International
**$66,000 Raised: 11 Students Supported **
Thanks to the generosity of Sponsors, Associates, and community partners, Cleaning for a Cause raised $65,000 through Sponsorships and the Sweepstakes drawing. These funds will help support 11 students at Christel House Mexico for an entire year, providing access to:
- Quality education to open doors to new opportunities
- Healthcare to support overall wellbeing
- Nutritious meals to keep students healthy and focused
- Transportation to make attending school more accessible
- Clothing and essential resources to support everyday needs
This support helps remove barriers to learning, allowing students to focus on their goals, build confidence, and plan for their futures. It also offers reassurance to their families that their children have the resources they need to thrive.
Making a Difference Together
The success of Cleaning for a Cause would not have been possible without the support of our generous Sponsors, including Fidelity National Timeshare, Legacy Resorts, HUB International, HBA Contract, Knitec Enterprises, Inc., Grant Wolf, A1 American, Waxie, Ferguson, Turkish Towels, Allstate Logistics, and Precise Textile.
Their generosity, combined with the dedication of our Housekeeping Associates, helped turn this event into a meaningful opportunity to give back.
“Cleaning for a Cause recognizes the dedication of our Housekeeping Associates while making a meaningful difference. Raising $66,000 to support 11 students for an entire year is a tremendous achievement. Celebrating on Christel DeHaan’s birthday was a fitting way to honor her legacy and the power of education to transform lives.” — David S. Brown, Co-President, Grand Pacific Resorts
Through our GPR Cares community-giving program, we’re proud to support initiatives like Cleaning for a Cause that reflect our commitment to enriching lives and strengthening communities.
More Than Friendly Competition
At its core, the Housekeeping Olympics is about coming together to recognize the people who make Grand Pacific Resorts special and finding meaningful ways to give back.
This year’s event was particularly memorable, not just for raising $66,000, but for the lasting impact those funds will help make possible for 11 students at Christel House Mexico.
As we honor Christel DeHaan’s legacy, we’re reminded that the greatest achievements aren’t always measured by medals or trophies, but by the opportunities we create for others.
Thanks to our Associates, sponsors, and supporters, these students will have access to valuable resources and opportunities to help build brighter futures. And that’s a success truly worth celebrating.
Want to relive the fun? Check out highlights from this year’s Cleaning for a Cause, celebrating teamwork, friendly competition, and giving back!