2012 Hotel Excellence Award for Community Service Nominees

The Hotel Excellence Award for Community Service will honor an esteemed member of the New York City Association of Hotel Concierges (NYCAHC) for outstanding donations of time, talent, charitable and/or philanthropic contributions to benefit the people of the City of New York. This award will acknowledge the diligence and dedication of the concierge who has shown a continuing commitment to his or her community and the New York City public, in general. Further, the award applauds the public service efforts and achievements of all New York City hotel concierge professionals.

Domenic Alfonzetti the InterContInental new York BarClaY

Years of Service: 24 | Organizational Affiliations: NYCAHC (Board of Directors now serving as Past President Adviser), Les Clefs d'Or USA As a New Yorker, I love this city and have always wanted to share with everyone the best of what this great place has to offer. Being in the service industry makes this something that comes easily for me. In small ways, we are able to make the city a warmer and more welcoming place to those who live here and those who visit. Whenever there is a need, I tend to gravitate to see what can be done to help outno matter how small the contribution may seem. I have participated in walk-a-thons for the March of Dimes, the Aids Walk and hurricane relief. When Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans, I encouraged the Board and NYCAHC members to turn an already existing event into a fundraiser. We sent $5,000 to New Orleans relief. When I became president of NYCAHC, I had the opportunity to share my passion for helping others with the Concierge community so together we could be more aware and get involved in giving back to the community. I motivated our membership and spearheaded two initiatives. We partnered with Mayor Bloomberg's MillionTreesNYC initiative and to date have planted thousands of trees and plants to better our environment. The second initiative was a partnership with the New York City Coalition Against Hunger, where we worked in soup kitchens. We sent out the message that hunger is 365 days a year, not just acknowledged at Thanksgiving. I have also been involved with Dreams Come True in Jacksonville, Florida for the past 10 years, with the help of Mary Murphy, Concierge at The Omni Berkshire Place. Now, I am working with Dreams Come True UK as well. Engagement in service Initiatives in the community has always been something I have been interested and involved in. By giving back, our whole experience is enriched.

Denise Bethune-mignott the PhIllIPs CluB

Years of Service: 13 | Organizational Affiliations: NYCAHC I have been a Concierge in New York for thirteen years and affiliated with the New York City Association of Hotel Concierges for four years. I have been a diligent participant in AIDS Walk since 1991 and participated in the AIDS Dance-a-Thon. I also assisted James Lamboglia in the 2011-2012 AIDS Walk fundraiser. My other volunteer work includes feeding the hungry at a soup kitchen, Mayor Bloomberg's MillionTreesNYC initiative, hotel-to-hotel walk, and setting up and greeting vendors at the annual tradeshow. I also solicited and organized donations from companies for the NYCAHC annual Christmas charity event. My greatest passions are knitting and crocheting, and it was an honor to create blankets, hats and scarves for the women and children in the shelter. I look forward to continue my work with the NYCAHC in giving back to the community.

mAry murphy the omnI BerkshIre PlaCe

Years of Service: 14 | Organizational Affiliations: NYCAHC (former Board of Directors), Les Clefs dOr USA I just completed 21 years in the city, so I consider myself a New Yorker. I love New York and cannot think of anywhere else I would rather be. I am also very proud to say this will be my 14th year serving as a Concierge at The Omni Berkshire Place hotel. I have been a member of the New York City Association of Hotel Concierges for 13 years and had the honor of serving on the Board of Directors from 2001 to 2006. I started as social coordinator, a position I held for two years; vice president; and then president, from 2004 to 2006. As president, I realized the organization was in a unique position to make a tremendous difference to the lives of those less fortunate and in need of help. Dreams Come True, which brings terminally ill children to New York, and providing aid for battered wives and children are my two main passions. It brings me immeasurable satisfaction to know a positive impact has been made in the lives of these people with the help of NYCAHC. It is my duty and passion to continue to help those in need. Among the organizations I have actively been involved in are AIDS Walk New York, Clinton Global Initiative, Coalition for the Hungry, Dreams Come True, GOAL bringing aid to Africa, Self Help Africa and Toys for Tots.