CONTACT: Renee Martin, President           Martin Media / NY 845-987-1665 / Direct 845-325-2051 / Cell           rmartin@martinmediapro.com

MORE THAN 500 LOCAL COMMUNITY RESIDENTS & FRIENDS ATTEND
THE WHITEFACE LODGE'S "TROPICAL STORM IRENE" FUNDRAISING EVENT

Close to $30,000 Raised from the Event and Private Contributions

More than 25 Hotels, Restaurants, Merchants & Businesses
From the Adirondack Area Participated via the
Silent Auction or Donations of Food & Beverage

LAKE PLACID, NY (September 21, 2011) – The Whiteface Lodge hosted more than 500 local residents and friends at its specially developed "Hurricane Irene Relief" Benefit and Fundraising Event, which occurred on September 15, 2011.

"The fundraiser was a festive gathering of people united by a common cause--to help their neighbors, friends and local businesses recover from the devastating effects of Tropical Storm Irene," said Phil Anderson, General Manager, The Whiteface Lodge. "People enjoyed the food and beverage stations, live music as well as the silent auction. In fact, we made 150 wood-fired pizzas in three hours and stayed very busy throughout the evening at all the beverage stations. One-hundred-percent of the beverage proceeds went to the relief fund."

From monies collected that night via the silent auction, the $10 per person admittance fee and sales of beverages, in addition to private donations, Mr. Anderson revealed that "The total amount of funds raised from the Irene Relief Benefit is in excess of $30,000. Our ownership company, Gramercy Capital, donated $5,000."

The event's objective was to raise funds for the Adirondack areas hit hardest by Tropical Storm Irene, namely the towns of Keene, Jay and Ausable Forks. Right after the storm, and noting the severe damages in these areas due to flooding, mudslides and high winds, the Whiteface Lodge management team selected a date to close Kanu for one night to host the fundraising event.

"The event would never have been as successful without the participation of the many Adirondack-area merchants, hotels, restaurants, businesses and individuals who donated items for the silent auction as well as food and beverages for the guests," continued Mr. Anderson. "We had more than 25 businesses and individuals participate and it's testament to the powerful outcome that can be generated when a community comes together to help those in need. We also had other Gemstone Hotel and Resorts donate for the silent auction." (A list of all of the event participants is attached).

To disburse the funds, the Whiteface Lodge will work with the Keene Community Trust and other Trusts that have been established in Jay and Ausable Forks."

Participants in the Whiteface Lodge Irene Relief Fundraising Event:
(In alphabetical order)

• Adirondack Steak & Seafood
• Bass Outlet
• The Carlton Hotel, New York City
• Chateau Lafayette Reneau
• The Crowne Plaza Hotel, Lake Placid
• The Cutting Cabin
• Desperados
• Edison Jewelry
• Handcrafted Adirondack Table
• Hotel Andaluz, Albuquerque
• Howard Johnson’s
• Izod Outlet
• The Lake Placid Pub & Brewery
• Lake Placid Center for the Arts
• Lake Placid Lodge
• Liquids & Solids
• Matt Moore
• The Mirror Lake Inn
• The Mosaic Hotel, Beverly Hills
• Owl’s Head Mt. Rustic Furniture
• Paul Smith’s College, St. Regis Café
• Pink
• Romano’s Saranac Lanes
• Select Sotheby’s Real Estate
• The Sky Lodge, Park City
• Temptations
• The Tivoli Lodge, Vail
• Van-Heusen Outlet
• Walker Arts Signs
• Whiteface Club & Resort
• The Whiteface Club & Resort
• Wild Birds Unlimited
• Williams Rejuva Center
• The Wine and Spirit Shop

The Whiteface Lodge is managed by Gemstone Hotels & Resorts, a hotel management and asset management company specializing in luxury and upscale urban hotels and complex resorts. Additionally, the Lodge is a member of The Leading Hotels of the World. For additional information, please call 1-800-903-4045, visit www.TheWhitefaceLodge.com, follow us on Twitter @TheWFL or become a friend on Facebook. Please also feel free to contact The Lodge’s public relations agency, Martin Media, by calling Renee Martin, President, at 845-987-1665 [o] or 845-325-2051 [c], or via email at rmartin@martinmediapro.com.

About The Whiteface Lodge

Located in the woodland setting of the High Peaks region of Lake Placid, New York, The Whiteface Lodge is the only all-suite property in the Adirondacks, offering 94 guest accommodations.  The Lodge also offers a value-added experience unparalleled in the region, providing guests with access to a wide range of complimentary amenities, services and activities, including a sumptuous breakfast each morning in Kanu, the property's main dining area; a creative kids program called Kamp Kanu; an onsite heated swimming pool; fishing in a stocked catch and release pond, with all equipment provided; basketball, tennis and paddle tennis courts; sophisticated fitness center; three-season ice skating rink; family game room with a two-lane bowling alley; nightly gratis s'mores campfire; and a 54-seat movie theater. Additionally, during the summer, Lodge guests receive complimentary access to the property's private lakefront "Canoe Club," where kayaks, canoes, and paddleboats are all included.

Awards & Accolades

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