TownePlace Suites(R) By Marriott Provides Warmth For Little Patients This Holiday Season

BRAND LAUNCHES 'REAL GIVING' CAMPAIGN WITH DONATION OF 300 HOMEMADE BLANKETS TO CHILDREN'S NATIONAL MEDICAL CENTER


BETHESDA, Md., Dec. 17  /PRNewswire/ -- Today, TownePlace Suites® by Marriott gave the gift of warmth to children in need. Kicking off its new "real giving" campaign, the TownePlace Suites brand donated 300 fleece blankets to Children's National Medical Center; providing a sense of security, love, warmth and comfort to every young patient at the hospital this holiday season. In line with the TownePlace Suites brand connection with the local community, the "real giving" program is designed to benefit children's hospitals around the country.

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"The success of our new 'real giving' program speaks volumes about our associates. In this tough economic year, our associates raised nearly $25,000 dollars and gave their time, money and hearts to the cause," said Peggy Fang Roe, Vice President, Brand Management, TownePlace Suites and Marriott Executive Apartments. "The spirit of giving truly is part of the TownePlace Suites DNA. As an extended-stay hotel brand, we understand the importance of feeling the comforts of home while on the road. We couldn't be more excited to bring those comforts to the young patients at Children's National Medical Center and children's hospitals across the country this holiday season."

"real giving" is a TownePlace Suites program serving the community to benefit local Children's Miracle Network hospitals across the United States. Through volunteer service and donation opportunities, the national "real giving" program engages TownePlace Suites associates, owners, franchisees and customers to help provide comfort and warmth to young patients and their families.

During the program's inaugural year, the TownePlace Suites brand donated nearly 1,000 blankets to children in hospitals across the country. In Bethesda, Maryland, the brand invited over 3,000 associates at Marriott International Headquarters to help make 300 blankets for Children's National Medical Center. Around the country, hotels accepted donations to pay for fleece blanket materials, organized blanket-making events, and delivered the blankets to children in local hospitals. Examples include:

  --  Scottsdale, Arizona - Employees at the TownePlace Suites Scottsdale
      raised money through associate and customer events and associate
      contributions. The hotel will donate 60 blankets to St. Joseph's
      Pediatrics at St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center in Phoenix.
  --  Atlanta, Georgia - Employees at the TownePlace Suites Atlanta
      Norcross/Peachtree Corners, TownePlace Suites Atlanta Alpharetta and
      TownePlace Suites Atlanta Kennesaw joined together to raise money and
      donate 50 blankets to Children's Healthcare of Atlanta with the help
      of guests and associates.
  --  Tampa, Florida - Employees at the TownePlace Suites Tampa
      Westshore/Airport raised money by hosting Blackjack for Blankets and
      Barbeque for Blankets events for guests and associates. This week, the
      hotel donated 40 blankets to St. Joseph's Children's Hospital in
      Tampa.
  --  Denver, Colorado - Employees at the TownePlace Suites Denver Downtown,
      TownePlace Suites Denver Southeast, TownePlace Suites Denver Tech
      Center and TownePlace Suites Denver West Federal Center joined
      together to donate 40 blankets to Denver Children's Hospital.



"real giving" gives associates a way to work together with local volunteers, establish partnerships with local hospitals, and benefit people in their local communities. Each blanket costs $25 to make and 100% of the donations go towards the blanket materials. Each hotel hosts a blanket-making event where guests, associates and local volunteers can donate their time to help make each blanket.

The new "real giving" program aligns with Marriott International's focus on vitality of children as part of its five signature issues represented by the letters in "SERVE" - Shelter and Food, Environment, Readiness for Hotel Careers, Vitality of Children, and Embracing Diversity and People with Disabilities.  The program also supports Marriott's longstanding relationship Children's Miracle Network for more than 25 years.  Marriott has raised more than $58 million to help children needing hospitalization in our local communities. For more information on Marriott's commitment, visit http://www.marriott.com/socialresponsibilty.

About Children's National Medical Center

Children's National Medical Center, based in Washington, D.C., is a leader in the development of innovative new treatments for childhood illness and injury.  Among the top pediatric hospitals in America, as ranked by both U.S. News & World Report and the prestigious Leapfrog Group, Children's National has served the nation's children for more than 135 years. For more information, visit http://www.childrensnational.org/.

About TownePlace Suites and Marriott International, Inc.

TownePlace Suites is an all-suite hotel brand designed for long-stays with moderately priced rooms.  Launched in 1997, the brand currently has more than 170 locations in the United States.  TownePlace Suites participates in the company's award-winning Marriott Rewards® program, which enables members to earn their choice of points toward free vacations or frequent flyer mileage in their preferred airline program for dollars spent at more than 3,100 Marriott hotels around the world. For more information or reservations, call the TownePlace Suites toll-free number at 800-257-3000 or visit the Web site at http://www.towneplacesuites.com/.

Visit Marriott International, Inc. (NYSE:MAR) for company information. 

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DATASOURCE: Marriott International, Inc.



CONTACT:  Jackie Berra of Marriott International, Inc., [phone],





Web Site:  http://www.marriott.com/ 

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