Florida businessman and hotelier Paresh ‘Paz’ Patel was awarded P&G Professional's 2015 "Community Hotelier of the Year Award" presented in conjunction with the Asian American Hotel Owners Association (AAHOA). Patel was chosen as the grand prize winner after submitting an essay detailing his participation with and support of the Greater Jacksonville USO.

 

The charity will receive a $10,000 award in Patel's name. Patel was recognized last spring during the 2015 AAHOA Annual Convention and Trade Show awards presentation at the Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center, in California.

 

The Community Hotelier of the Year Award recognizes an AAHOA member who demonstrates dedication and care for their community and expresses a desire to make a positive impact in the future with a $10,000 donation to the winner's charity of choice.

 

Patel has volunteered for the Greater Jacksonville USO for the last decade, giving his time, donating room nights from his Jacksonville and Orange Park Candlewood Suites, Comfort Inn and Days Inn properties, and assisting with the mission of the organization as a board member and vice chairperson.

 

As part of a dedicated family of more than 250 volunteers and staff, Patel's other efforts with the Jacksonville USO in 2014 included helping the organization serve 8,640 dinners, assist 70,000 visitors at the USO's three local centers, mail 1,600 care packages to overseas troops, host 24,000 travelers at the USO airport location, and provide arrival services for fallen service members and their families at the airport.

 

Read the rest of the story here.