Orange party benefits La Vida Hospitality wellness program

To raise funds and awareness for its Celebrate Wellness program, La Vida Hospitality hosted the orange party June 15 at the Big Chill Beach Club.

The mission of Celebrate Wellness is to provide wellness education, resources and services to local hospitality workers and community members.

La Vida chose orange as a theme because it represents vitality, health and joy, and it commands attention, which are all things Kathy McDonald, director of community development, sees as part of the mission to spread wellness information throughout the hospitality industry.

Guests were welcomed to the event with acrobats, a massive orange lantern installation, raw bar and other food displays, live music and spectacular waterfront views. Local mural artist and creative genius Mike Johnson created a sunset painting that will be auctioned off to raise additional funds for the cause. The auction is live and runs through Friday, July 7, online at givebutter.com/c/yWQrJv.

Featured during the celebration was a seven-minute video that explored the need for wellness programs dedicated toward hospitality workers. The film featured many local servers, bartenders and managers who spoke openly about the challenges of maintaining a healthy mind and body while working in the hospitality industry, and also the overall value and importance of wellness in their lives.

The Celebrate Wellness initiative is near and dear to the hearts of La Vida team members and something that hits close to home for many. Josh Grapski, managing member, spoke of his personal experiences nearly causing him to leave the hospitality business, and how he feels lucky that he had access to professionals who got him back on the right track. Grapski said he thinks of mental health guidance as exercise for his brain. Celebrate Wellness organizers hope to make it easier for community workers to indulge in that mind exercise.

McDonald spoke to guests about how the fund will operate and thanked the top-level sponsors, knowing organizers couldn’t pull off this special revolution without their support. “I heard so many stories about how other hospitality leaders wished there was a program like this when they were coming up the ranks,” she said. “With wellness at the forefront of our efforts, we are destined toward a brighter future for all. A big, bright, orange future.”

For more information, go to lavidahospitality.com.