�It was an honor and a pleasure to be part of that very important evening,� said Fred Schwartz, president, AAHOA, who was joined by AAHOA board of directors members M.P. Rama and C.K. Patel.  �We are humbled to receive an award from such a prestigious institution as the Cecil B. Day School of Hospitality.�

The presentation of the Hospitality Community Spirit Awards was part of the �Salute to the Stars Recognition Program� held by the Cecil B. Day School of Hospitality and the J. Mack Robinson College of Business of Georgia State University (GSU).

�I know that AAHOA has done an outstanding job in response to this tragic event (Sept. 11),� said Debby Cannon, Ph.D., CHE, director, School of Hospitality, GSU.  �The Cecil B. Day School of Hospitality was honored to present them with the Community Spirit Award.�

In addition to tremendous individual efforts made by AAHOA�s members, AAHOA as an organization announced Sept. 25 relief effort donations in excess of $100,000.  This included a $50,001 donation to The New York Times 9/11 Neediest Fund, and donations of $10,001 to each of the following organizations: the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund; the New York State World Trade Center Relief Fund; The New York Firefighters 9-11 Disaster Relief Fund; The Salvation Army, Disaster Services; and the United Way of New York City.  Each donation was designed to end with the number one, a figure of good luck in the Indian culture shared by most of AAHOA�s members.