Marriott Launches First Global 'Spirit To Serve Our Communities' Day
WASHINGTON, May 17 /Marriott International, Inc.
"At the core of 'Spirit To Serve' is Marriott's commitment to make a difference in the communities where we do business," said J.W. Marriott, Jr., chairman and chief executive officer of Marriott International. " Through a dedicated day of service, we reinforce this commitment by giving associates an opportunity to give back to their communities."
General Colin L. Powell, USA (Ret) and Chairman of America's Promise, which Marriott became a partner with earlier this year, saluted Marriott on its "Spirit To Serve" program. "In encouraging its employees to get out there and help where they work and live, Marriott is right on target," Powell said.
The first annual "Spirit To Serve Our Communities" Day will be led by 1,000 Marriott headquarters' employees serving 17 organizations in the greater Washington, D.C. area on Wednesday, May 19. Other activities across the nation include Courtyard and Fairfield Inn employees gathering for a highway beautification project in Miami; employees of the Omaha Marriott assisting the Omaha Food Bank in sorting canned food donations and the Nashville Airport Marriott associates sponsoring a dunking booth for donations to a local children's hospital. The Renaissance Harbour View in Hong Kong has planned a charity luncheon to benefit disabled children.
Marriott's "Spirit to Serve Our Communities" Day is a part of a company- wide initiative, "Spirit To Serve Our Communities" which was announced in February. The program provides employees with an opportunity for community involvement and is expected to generate over $20 million ($4 million per year) in donations and fund raising by 2004. Four key areas of outreach and community relations effort include:
* Career Opportunities
* Family Services
* Community Partnerships
* Associate Involvement
Marriott's "Spirit To Serve" initiatives currently underway include:
* Pathways to Independence – provides training and jobs for people on public assistance.
* Career Opportunities Fund – offers $100,000 in grants annually to students and at-risk youth preparing for careers in hospitality.
* Bridges ... from school to work – trains and encourages businesses to employ high school students with disabilities. Sponsored by The Marriott Foundation for People with Disabilities.
* Family Services – offers $100,000 in grants annually to organizations that provide child-care, legal assistance, literacy training and other work/life services.
* Associate Volunteer Network – links Marriott associates with volunteer opportunities via a special toll-free number.
* Spirit To Serve Day – all 133,000 Marriott associates encouraged to participate in community service.
* Marriott Pride/Children's Miracle Network – associate-driven fund raising for over 170 hospitals for children throughout the U.S. and Canada. Raises over $2.5 million annually.
* American Red Cross, Int'l Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies – directs $100,000 annually to disaster relief around the globe.
* Second Harvest – provides excess food from Marriott hotels to 185 food banks.
* Habitat for Humanity – provides volunteers and $80,000 annually to build homes in cities where Marriott holds large internal meetings. Sponsored by Fairfield Inn.
* The United Way – Marriott and its associates contribute $1.4 million annually to support United Way and its local agencies.
* Environmentally Conscious Hospitality Operations (ECHO) – worldwide program to assist hotels with energy and water conservation and recycling.
* Homes for the Holidays – donates free suites to organizations whose mission is to help others facing misfortune. Sponsored by TownePlace
Suites between Thanksgiving and New Year's each year.
Note: America's Promise – The Alliance for Youth, is dedicated to mobilizing individuals, groups and organizations, from every part of American life, to build and strengthen the character and competence of youth.
MARRIOTT INTERNATIONAL, INC. is a leading worldwide hospitality company with over 1,800 operating units in the United States and 53 other countries and territories. Marriott Lodging operates and franchises hotels under the Marriott, Ritz-Carlton, Renaissance, Residence Inn, Courtyard, TownePlace Suites, Fairfield Inn, SpringHill Suites and Ramada International brand names; develops and operates vacation ownership (timeshare) resorts under the Marriott Vacation Club International brand; operates conference centers; and provides furnished corporate housing through its ExecuStay by Marriott division. Other Marriott businesses include senior living communities and services, wholesale food distribution, and procurement services. The company is headquartered in Washington, D.C. and has approximately 135,000 employees. In fiscal year 1998, Marriott International reported total sales of $8.0 billion.
Roger Conner
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