How These Two Hotels Are Saving Lives On Amelia Island

Amelia Island. Just the word “island” conjures up thoughts of palm trees, tropical breezes, white sand beaches, and luxurious hotels. Amelia Island has all those things, plus so much more. One of the most unique and exemplary things you will find on Amelia Island are two hotels. Their parent company, Innisfree Hotels, and a regional manager are working together to save the lives of many. 

The Luna Fine Art Gallery is housed between the Courtyard by Marriott and SpringHill Suites. The funds raised at the Luna Fine Art Gallery support the Trinity Love Hoblit Foundation, which funds brain aneurysm education and research.

The SpringHill by Marriott provided a hosted stay in Amelia Island.

What Is A Brain Aneurysm?

When a weak spot develops in the artery walls carrying blood from the heart to other organs and begins to bulge like a balloon, it is known as an aneurysm. When the aneurysm is in the brain, it is known as a cerebral or brain aneurysm.

When the bulge in the artery bursts or ruptures in the brain and blood leaks out, it can be life-threatening and requires immediate medical care. 

Each year, brain aneurysms are the cause of almost 500,000 deaths, according to the Brain Aneurysm Foundation. A brain aneurysm ruptures approximately every 18 minutes, and about 30,000 people are affected yearly, usually resulting in death or lifelong disabilities. 

It is estimated that over 6.5 million people have an unruptured brain aneurysm in the United States. That is one in every 50 people. Unruptured brain aneurysms often have no symptoms. Funding, training, and, when appropriate, clipping the aneurysm before it ruptures is an excellent stroke prevention measure.

Who Was Trinity Love Hoblit?

A brain aneurysm took the life of Trinity Love Hoblit at the age of 14. Born weighing a little over 3 pounds with primordial dwarfism, Trinity’s enormous spirit captured the hearts of many despite her small stature. She was known for making others feel better about themselves and happier after meeting her. Trinity lived life to the fullest while she was on earth. 

Trinity was diagnosed with multiple brain aneurysms when she was just nine years old. She had numerous brain surgeries and in 2015, was scheduled for surgery to clip an aneurysm; unfortunately, her aneurysm ruptured a few days before surgery, and she passed away on June 30, 2015.

An organ donor, she gifted life to three recipients with her heart, liver, and kidneys.

Trinity’s legacy continues to impact many lives today, from the recipients of her organs to the people who knew her to those helped through the Trinity Love Hoblit Foundation, established in her honor. 

The Trinity Love Hoblit Foundation

Dedicated to raising awareness about the signs and symptoms of brain aneurysms and funding neurological research, the Trinity Love Hoblit Foundation is a non-profit organization established in 2016 in honor of Trinity by her parents, Olivia and Phil Hoblit. 

The organization supports the goal of reducing the time between signs/symptoms and medical intervention, as well as treatment options so those suffering a brain aneurysm, strokes, and other cerebrovascular conditions will have improved outcomes. 

One of the projects supported by the foundation is familial brain research and DNA mapping to help researchers determine the extent a family’s history of brain aneurysms has on later generations. With advanced knowledge of family links, millions of lives could be saved. 

They also sponsor surgeons and partner with other associations to pay or assist in paying for brain aneurysm surgery.

Funds are raised for the foundation through the art gallery and various events throughout the year. One such event held recently was the sixth Annual Gala, held during Brain Aneurysm Awareness Month. They raised $70,000 for neurological research and treatment for cerebrovascular conditions at Wolfson’s Children’s Hospital and Baptist Neurological Institute. Other similar local, regional, national, or international facilities are also eligible for funding.

The Luna Fine Art Gallery

Located in the Courtyard & SpringHill Suites by Marriott, Luna Gallery is part of The Hive, the social responsibility program of Innisfree Hotels. The Amelia Island gallery features local artists and hosts four exhibits yearly, with all gallery commissions donated to the Trinity Love Hoblit Foundation.

The rotating art usually changes in March, June, September, and December.

The Hotels

The SpringHill Suites and Courtyard in Amelia Island, Florida, were built in the spring of 2021. 

The new, dual-branded property shares a gorgeous courtyard with a fire pit area, resort-style pool, deck, and poolside bar. They also share over 6,000 feet of meeting space, a fitness room, and a location within walking distance of the Atlantic Ocean. The Courtyard and SpringHill Suites are connected through the art gallery. You walk through the art gallery to get from one hotel to the other. Guests can enjoy the art without going outdoors.

Courtyard By Marriott

The Courtyard is a 105-room hotel for business travelers or travelers on the go. It features an in-house Starbucks and a quick grab-and-go snack station. Pets are not permitted in the Courtyard. 

SpringHill Suites By Marriott

We stayed at SpringHill Suites when we visited. All of the 135 rooms at the SpringHill are suites. They permit pets and welcome children. We loved having some extra space, a couch, and a living area. They also provide a delicious breakfast buffet for their guests. It is an excellent choice for families or groups traveling together. 

Innisfree Hotels And The Hive

The largest beachfront hotel owner/operator in the Southeast, Innisfree Hotels prides itself on being a people-first company. 

The Hive is a social responsibility program sponsored by Innisfree Hotels. The Hive is a place for the Innisfree family to connect and do good work in the world. The program fosters a culture of responsibility and service to humanity in the workplace and their communities.

The Hive focuses on projects of significance, using individual talents and the organization’s capacity to make a massive impact in the world. One of the impacts they are making is supporting and funding brain aneurysm research. In doing so, they are honoring one of their employees, Regional Manager Olivia Hoblit, the mother of Trinity Love Hoblit.

The Regional Manager

Olivia Hoblit, regional manager for Innisfree Hotels and director of the Trinity Love Hoblit Foundation, has made it her mission to educate others about brain aneurysms, raise funds for cerebrovascular research, and financially help those in need of surgery for cerebral aneurysms. 

Olivia lost her daughter Trinity due to a brain aneurysm. She has chosen to honor her by starting the Trinity Love Hoblit Foundation, working diligently to increase awareness, and raising funds for the cause so other lives can be saved. 

How You Can Help

Increase Your Awareness Of Risk Factors

Know The Sudden Warning Signs

“A ruptured brain aneurysm is a medical emergency that requires immediate treatment,” said Olivia Hoblit, director of the Trinity Love Hoblit Foundation in Fernandina Beach, Florida. “The accurate and early diagnosis of a ruptured brain aneurysm can greatly affect outcomes. Know the warning signs.”

Help Fund Research 

Assisting in funding research has the power to make a difference in someone’s life. Every penny counts. Make sure to support neurological research locally and donate to the Trinity Love Hoblit Foundation to help raise awareness about the signs and symptoms of a brain aneurysm and fund neurological research.

You can make a difference. Join these two hotels, the Innisfree company, and regional manager Olivia Hoblit in changing the world and saving lives.