Ritz workers don volunteer hats

Ritz workers don volunteer hats: "GOOD DEEDS
Ritz workers don volunteer hats

By DAVID ROGERS
Daily News Staff Writer

Sunday, August 27, 2006

Sharks rest at the edge of their tank as Paul Vannais, sommelier at The Ritz-Carlton, feeds them while volunteering at the South Florida Science Museum in West Palm Beach. 'I'm enjoying what I'm doing,' Vannais said. 'I'm learning as much as I'm helping. So that makes it easy. And the people here are so great.'


More than 100 Ritz employees pitch in at a dozen-plus nonprofits in the Palm Beaches while resort undergoes $45 million expansion.

During a typical day, Paul Vannais, sommelier at The Ritz-Carlton in Manalapan, might review inventory or teach a member of the wait staff which wines go well with fish.

(A nice Mer Soleil chardonnay perhaps.)

But these days, Vannais is spending his time feeding fresh and saltwater fish, cleaning aquariums and giving the public a close-up look at starfish, sea cucumbers and spiny sea urchins at the South Florida Science Museum."

Tags: NPVolunteer, NPCorporatevolunteer