AUSTIN, Texas -- Most folks in the hospitality industry have been furloughed or laid off. But one Texas hotel is still paying its employees - as long as they're helping others.

Lilian Wood works at East Austin's Heywood Hotel. Of course the business is closed because of the pandemic, but unlike most in the hospitality industry, Wood and her colleagues are still working - and getting paid their normal wages - to volunteer.

"We're not stuck at home with the weight of this pandemic weighing down on us. We get to put our efforts towards positive impacts,” Wood says.

A group of health care workers recenlty treated to pizza by volunteers appears in this image from May 2020. (Spectrum News)

Kathy Setzer, who owns the boutique hotel, says she had to pivot quickly when coronavirus shut her business down. Setzer was determined to help both her staff and the community so she started the Sleep Well, Do Good initiative. 

"Really our team is the heart of the Heywood and also our family. In a time of crisis, you want to protect your family. We have some business savings and there's no better way for us to spend that,” Setzer says.

The team at Heywood Hotel is spending more than 250 hours on community service. They've partnered with several nonprofits - mostly coordinating meal delivery to feed thousands of health care workers. Wood and her colleagues also have a goal of writing 3,000 note cards so Meals on Wheels recipients feel the love, too. It's actually Wood's first experience with volunteer work - but not her last.

A group of health care workers recenlty treated to takeout food appears in this image from May 2020. (Spectrum News)

"I'm happy to say it's something that will definitely stick with me and I think the rest of my team as well when this is over," Wood said. 

The Heywood Hotel doesn't have a specific reopen date just yet, so the volunteer efforts will continue until then - and even beyond.