In the News - November 2025

CFHLA Awards Over $178,000 in Student Scholarships and Grants during Annual GIVES Luncheon

Last Month, CFHLA in partnership with the CFHLA Foundation, proudly hosted our annual Gives Luncheon at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Orlando Lake Buena Vista South (Thank You, Phil Klinkenberg, General Manager).

This year, through the support of our members and partners, we were thrilled to distribute another $160,300 to 62 local students who may not have had access to an education without our financial support. Each of these students have now been given the opportunity to further their education in either hospitality management or culinary.

Additionally, the CFHLA Foundation has now awarded more than $1.5 million in student scholarships since 2000.

Furthermore, this luncheon featured the following highlights, including:

• Aubrey Pugh was selected as our newest Don and Lorraine Freeberg Foundation Scholarship recipient. Aubrey graduated from Wekiva High School last spring and is continuing her education at UCF’s Rosen College of Hospitality Management. Aubrey will be receiving a $52,000 scholarship and a paid internship opportunity at the Caribe Royale Orlando and at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Orlando Lake Buena Vista South.
• The CFHLA Foundation awarded nearly $18,000 in educational grants to three local schools and county-wide initiatives including:
  • Horizon High School – $2,750 to support nearly 300 students annually through the purchase of equipment that teaches ice cream making and supports program fundraising.
  • Seminole County Public Schools Foundation – $5,000 to enhance culinary education for more than 200 students by updating kitchen equipment and supplies.
  • Orange County Public Schools Culinary and Hospitality Competition – $10,000 to support competitions that allow high school students to showcase their culinary skills, hospitality knowledge, and marketing creativity.
• Lastly, the recognition of 112 CFHLA lodging and allied members who participated in the association’s Adopt-A-School Partnership throughout the 2024-2025 academic year. This was a 9% increase from the 2023-2024 academic year.