Volunteering for a Vacation

Whoever said that volunteering was about helping others clearly hadn't come across Sage Hospitality's latest offer. The hotel developer and management company just came up with a brilliant plan to increase overnight stays at the hotels it operates. With its Give a Day, Get a Night special, anyone who can prove they've done eight hours of community service for a 501c3 nonprofit organization can claim either a complimentary room (limited availability) or 50 percent off any stay at any of its 52 hotels covering 22 states.

Participating properties stretch across the United States and range from Pittsburgh's Renaissance Hotel to the Curtis and Oxford hotels of Denver to the Courtyard Los Angeles. While there are some restrictions, the offer lasts between July 1 and Dec. 20, 2009. Participants must register 48 hours before check-in, bringing a letter from the nonprofit along to prove that they completed their day of community service any time before December 18. Nonprofits falling under the 501c3 charity banner include organizations such as the Humane Society and Habitat for Humanity.

Who says it doesn't pay to volunteer?