Marriott International Pledges Global Community Involvement
MARRIOTT INTERNATIONAL PLEDGES GLOBAL COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
WASHINGTON, D.C. – May 17, 2000 – Marriott International, Inc. (NYSE:MAR) hotels and businesses worldwide have pledged to dedicate a day to helping others during the third week of May. “Spirit To Serve Our Communities Day” will enlist 145,000 employees in over 2,000 locations in 58 countries to deliver needed community services through volunteer efforts. This two-year-old initiative will involve 15 Marriott lodging brands and businesses.
“By giving employees the opportunity to give back to their local areas, we want to create a momentum that will truly make a difference throughout the year,” said J.W. Marriott, Jr., chairman and chief executive officer of Marriott International. “We want to help make every community where Marriott has a presence a better place to live and work.”
“Spirit to Serve Our Communities Day” is a key component of Marriott’s companywide commitment to helping others – “Spirit To Serve Our Communities” – which was launched in 1999. Retired General Colin L. Powell, chairman of America’s Promise, praised “Spirit To Serve Our Communities” as a meaningful step toward helping the country meet a variety of social challenges. Marriott has also made a commitment to America’s Promise to provide job shadowing and internship experiences to 5,000 students annually over the next five years.
The “Spirit to Serve Our Communities” initiative facilitates employee involvement and generates approximately $4 million annually in donations and fund-raising. The initiative focuses Marriott’s outreach efforts in four key areas:
- Career Opportunities
- Family Services
- Community Partnerships
- Associate Involvement
At Marriott locations throughout the world, community service activities will vary according to local needs and customs. For example:
In Los Angeles, several Marriott units will join forces to make improvements to the building and grounds of an elementary school.
In Egypt, more than 800 employees at the Hurghada Marriott and Sharm El Sheikh Marriott resorts, Cairo Marriott, JW Marriott Mirage City and the Renaissance Alexandria hotels will partner with local governments, neighboring schools and community organizations to kick off a quarterly campaign to clean sidewalks, beaches, the banks of the Nile River and other nearby areas.
In Hawaii, nearly 600 employees from the JW Marriott Ihilani/Ko Olina, Renaissance Wailea, Maui Marriott and Kauai Marriott hotels will participate in the Hawaii Hotel Industry Charity Walk to raise funds for local charities.
In Greece, employees from the Athens Ledra Marriott hotel will join efforts in a week of community service activities. Activities will include repairing plumbing for elementary schools, hosting a special lunch for senior citizens, joining an all-day area clean-up and tree and flower planting project, collecting food and clothing for the homeless, and painting over graffiti on area buildings.
Marriott will kick-off “Spirit To Serve Our Communities Day” at the company’s Washington, D.C., headquarters on May 17. Nearly 1,400 employees will volunteer at 27 non-profit organizations in the greater Washington, D.C., area.
Their efforts are part of the company’s long-standing support of people in the region who need assistance, and will include:
Rehabilitating homes for low-income elderly and disabled citizens in Montgomery County, Maryland.
Preparing food for homeless families and individuals in the District of Columbia.
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MARRIOTT “SPIRIT TO SERVE OUR COMMUNITIES” INITIATIVES
Marriott’s “Spirit To Serve Our Communities” initiatives currently underway worldwide include:
American Red Cross, International Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies – directs $100,000 annually to disaster relief around the globe.
Environmentally Conscious Hospitality Operations (ECHO) program – assists hotels with energy and water conservation and recycling.
Habitat for Humanity International – provides volunteers and financial support annually to build homes for low-income families.
“Spirit To Serve Our Communities Day” – encourages all 145,000 Marriott employees to participate in community service.
In North America, other “Spirit To Serve Our Communities” initiatives include:
America’s Promise – introduces 25,000 high school students to the hospitality industry over the next five years via job shadowing and internship experiences.
Associate Volunteer Network – links Marriott employees with volunteer opportunities via a special toll-free number.
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.
Career Opportunities Fund – offers $100,000 in grants annually to students and at-risk youth preparing for careers in hospitality.
Family Services Fund – offers $100,000 in grants annually to organizations that provide child-care, legal assistance, literacy training and other work/life services.
Marriott Pride / Children’s Miracle Network – enables employees to raise funds for over 170 hospitals for children throughout the U.S. and Canada. Raises $3 million annually.
Pathways to Independence – provides training and jobs for people on public assistance.
Second Harvest – provides surplus food from Marriott hotels to 185 food banks.
Sharing With Our Communities – donates home furnishings to homeless shelters and families and individuals transitioning to independent living. Sponsored by ExecuStay by Marriott.
Suite Holidays – donates free suites to organizations that help others facing misfortune. Sponsored by TownePlace Suites between Thanksgiving and New Year’s each year.
United Way – provides $1.4 million annually in contributions from Marriott and the company’s employees to support United Way and its local agencies.
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CONTACTS:
Nick Hill
Marriott International
(301) 380-7484
June Farrell
Marriott International
(301) 380-7796
MARRIOTT INTERNATIONAL, INC. (NYSE:MAR) is a leading worldwide hospitality company with over 2,000 operating units in the United States and 58 other countries and territories. Marriott Lodging operates and franchises hotels under the Marriott, Renaissance, Residence Inn, Courtyard, TownePlace Suites, Fairfield Inn, SpringHill Suites and Ramada International brand names; develops and operates vacation ownership resorts under the Marriott, Ritz-Carlton and Horizons brands; operates Marriott Executive Apartments; provides furnished corporate housing through its ExecuStay by Marriott division; and operates conference centers. Other Marriott businesses include senior living communities and services, wholesale food distribution, procurement services, and The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company LLC. The company is headquartered in Washington, D.C., and has approximately 151,000 employees. In fiscal year 1999, Marriott International reported systemwide sales of $17.7 billion. For more information or reservations, please visit us at www.marriott.com.