The Innkeeper of Thurston House, Carole Ballard, has a very special reason for observing Cystic Fibrosis Month this May.  Ballard knows all too well how devastating this disease can be. A friend of over 50 years has a son who was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis nearly 30 years ago and is now fighting for his life and awaiting a double lung transplant. The financial burden is tremendous for the family, and Carole Ballard wants to help raise funds for his medical expenses. In recognition of Dominic’s struggle and to help him meet his fundraising toals, Thurston House B&B will donate $5 for every reservation made this month to Help HOPELive, a nonprofit organiation that assists the transplant community.  All money will be held for Dominic’s assistance.

Dominic Quagliozzi is 30 and an accomplished artist who is just finishing his Master of Arts Science Degree. He is engaged and plans to wed in August of this year. When he was diagnosed 30 years ago they were told to not expect him live to his 5^thbirthday. He has proven them wrong and now awaits a life saving double lung transplant.  To learn more about Dominic and the fund established for him, click here.

Genuine caring for others is at the heart of innkeeping, and hospitality with a heart is one hallmark of the B&B industry.  From the thousands of dollars donated to Breast Cancer research from the Captain Lord Mansion’s Dime For Time Program to thousands of dollars in free rooms given away to those who’d recently lost jobs through the Rabbit Hill Inn’s Pink Slip Getaway campaign, innkeepers throughout the country give generously to help others.  A number of members of the Maine Innkeepers Association are participating in the 9th Annual Hospitality for Habitat program now through May 25th.  Stay at participating  Maine properties including the Newcastle Inn and Captain Jefferds Inn for half the regular rate in exchange for a $35 or more donation to Habitat for Humanity.  Innkeepers take a hit on the lost revenue, while all funds go to help build homes for those in need. The Better Way to Stay’s B&Bs for Vets Program at Veteran’s Day is another perfect example of honor through hospitality, where hundreds of thousands of dollars in free rooms are given to vets as a gesture of thanks for the service they’ve given to their country. Stay tuned for more information about this program, celebrated on Veteran’s Day each year.

Hats off to innkeepers with heart.  From helping Dominic pay for a lifesaving lung transplant by making a reservation this May at Thurston House to helping breast cancer researchers to find a cure by staying at Captain Lord Mansion throughout the year, inns and B&Bs throughout the U.S. and Canada show those in need that the Better Way to Stay is also the generous way to stay.