Resorts in Traverse City, MI and Sandusky, OH followed soon after. First-rate accommodations came together with outstanding family recreational activities, all under one roof. The resort, renamed Great Wolf Lodge, spurred a new industry trend. Just two years later, we expanded to offer 309 suites and doubled the size of the indoor water park space. The indoor resort concept was a runaway success. The 117-suite “Black Wolf Lodge” featured a first-of-its-kind 20,000-sq. All proceeds will go to Autism Speaks.In 1997, Great Wolf Resorts opened its first resort in Wisconsin Dells, WI. The limited-edition collection of blue wolf ears will be available for purchase at the company's 18 U.S.-based resorts from March 15 through April 30 (or until quantities sell out). Autism acceptance will hopefully encourage other companies to provide individuals with special needs the chance to give back to the community and increase their self-esteem." They just need to be given an opportunity. Many want to work and are capable of working. I believe around 90% of individuals with autism are unemployed. A brand that supports these individuals will hopefully employ these individuals. GWL helping differently-abled/special needs individuals is heart-warming. Our guests definitely feel that feeling."Īs for what Lucarelli thinks about GWL supporting autism acceptance, she responded, "Often people don't realize intellectual/cognitive disabilities as they are not seen. "For one, our culture and purpose statement, 'bringing joy to families, ' is truly heartfelt through our brand and properties. "We see children with different abilities here," Colavito points out. That's not to say neurotypical children won't enjoy all that the lodge has to offer. Over the years, the staff has become family to us." The relaxed, laid-back atmosphere was just what we needed for our first vacation with a special needs child. The number of lifeguards and their attention to guest safety calmed this nervous mama down. The building is set so far from the main road I wasn't concerned with my kids wandering out the door. "I had an overall feeling of calm and a sense of safety. "From our first visit, we knew there was something different about GWL, Lucarelli adds. From there, we built a special relationship." "Christa wrote me an email sharing her experience and how wonderful it was for her, especially Jimmy, her special needs son. In total, we have been to GWL about 60 times."īill Colavito, the General Manager of Great Wolf Lodge at the Pocono Mountains location, knows the Lucarelli family well. We began going two times a year and visited five to six times a year before the pandemic. "Jimmy was five, and my other son Nicky was two. "We began going to GWL when it first opened in 2005," said Lucarelli. Jimmy is also a huge fan of the Great Wolf Lodge. He is not working towards a degree but goes to learn whatever he can. However, Jimmy loves to learn, has a great memory, graduated high school with a diploma, and takes classes at Molloy College. He is verbal but has a stutter, and as his mother explained, he sometimes struggles to express himself.
Christa Lucarelli and her son, Jimmy, are just two of those visitors.īill Colavito, the General Manager of Great Wolf Lodge (left) at the Pocono Mountains location with. "We wanted to do something that showed our appreciation and support for the autistic community and give back."Īcross all of their lodges, they welcome approximately 8 million visitors annually. "We have many families with a child or children on the autism spectrum who frequent our resorts and consider Great Wolf Lodge as their family's favorite place for a quick getaway," Mr. Creating Life-Long Relationships With the Autistic Community This year, they are hoping to exceed $100,000 in donations. Lasecki said that many of their guests choose to go above the recommended 5-dollar donation. They quickly sold out, and, as a result, we were able to donate over $50,000 to Autism Speaks."Īt check-in, guests are given the option to purchase a pair (or multiple pairs) of the blue wolf ears. "So we ordered just over 10,000 sets of ears. "We weren't sure how well the blue ear campaign would do our first year," said Lasecki. This is the second year that GWL has raised both awareness and money around autism. Therefore, they offer a special blue version of the brand's signature wolf ears, available for a minimum five dollar donation to Autism Speaks. MediaNews Group via Getty Imagesĭuring the Spring Breakout, the Great Wolf Lodge wants to help spread awareness, understanding, and acceptance of autistic people. GARDEN GROVE, CA - JANUARY 07: Wolf ears worn by a Great Wolf Lodge representative Mike Foley is.
0 kommentar(er)
