PillarHotels&Resorts2013CommunityEvents

Residence Inn Scranton Team Raises Funds for Breast Cancer Research

Scranton, PA (October 21, 2013) - The Pillar Hotels & ResortsResidence Inn Scranton team held a car wash to benefit BreastCancer Research on Monday, October 21. Hotel guests, employeesand local shoppers stopped by to join the cause and the groupraised $200 for donation.

Pillar Home Office Team Volunteers at Special Olympics of Texas' 2013 Softball / BocceCompetition

Irving, TX (September 28, 2013) -The Pillar Home Officeis excited to announce another successful volunteerexperience with Special Olympics. Over 50 peoplevolunteered at the Softball/Bocce Tournament onSaturday, September 28th. They assisted in score keeping,cheered for the teams as Fans in the Stands and providedlunch for over 500 people. The athletes appreciated thelunch and snow cones after a hard day on the Softball and

Bocce fields. Both athletes and volunteers had a terrific time. Pillar continues to cultivate theirpartnership with Special Olympics and looks forward to future events.

To learn more about Special Olympics of Texas and how you can get involved, please visitwww.specialolympicstexas.org.

Homewood Suites & Comfort Suites Rochester Tee Off for Education

Rochester, NY (August 16, 2013) - Management and staff from Homewood Suites and Comfort SuitesRochester participated in the Rochester Hotel Association annual golf tournament on August 16, helping toraise scholarship funds for students at Rochester Institute of Technology and Monroe Community College.

Pillar Hotels & Resorts Nominated "Charitable Organization of the Year"

Irving, TX (August 2013) - Pillar Hotels and Resorts is pleased to be recognized as a nominee for Special Olympics of Texas' CharitableOrganization of the Year. Pillar has been a devoted supporter of Special Olympics since the company's inception and will continue topartner for this great cause.

Community events Pillar has participated in include the2013 Spring Games,Change Wars, and2012 Softball and BocceCompetition.Pillar is proud to serve Special Olympics' athletes and involve our employees in events that benefit the organization.

For more information on how you can get involved, please visitSpecialOlympicsTexas.org.

About Special Olympics Texas

http://www.specialolympicstexas.org/http://pillarhotels.com/2013-community-events.html#change-warshttp://pillarhotels.com/2013-community-events.html#spring-games-2013http://www.specialolympicstexas.org/http://pillarhotels.com/2013-community-events.html#bocce

Hyatt Place Miami West

Special Olympics Texas (SOTX) is a privately fundednon-profit organization that changes lives throughthe power of sport by encouraging and empoweringpeople with intellectual disabilities, promotingacceptance for all, and fostering communities ofunderstanding and respect. SOTX provides continuingopportunities for more than 44,000 children andadults with intellectual disabilities throughout theLone Star State to realize their potential, developphysical fitness, demonstrate courage, andexperience joy and friendship. Engage with SOTX:

Like "SpecialOlympicsTX" on Facebook, follow@SOTexas on Twitter, and connect onYouTube:Youtube.com/specialolympicstexas.

Residence Inn Fights Local Hunger

Salem, OR (August 7, 2013) - Representatives from Residence Inn by MarriottSalem delivered $500 to Marion-Polk Food Share to support local hunger-relief efforts. Posing with the "big check" are, from left: Lindsay Adamson,MPFS food drive coordinator; and Residence Inn staff, Kaitlyn Winokur, AlishaLeonard, Michael Spoerhase, Vanessa Hernandez and Christina Kelley. Thefunds were raised through cash donations, cake pop sales and specialincentives made to frequenthotel guests. This is thethird year Residence Inn has held a food/funds driveto benefit MPFS.

About Marion-Polk Food Share

Marion-Polk Food Share is the regional food bank serving Marion and Polk counties through a network of nearly100 hunger-relief partners. Since 1987, MPFS has been "leading the fight to end hunger...because no oneshould be hungry." As the second largest of 20 regional food banks in the Oregon Food Bank Network, MPFScollects and distributes nutritional foods to food pantries, meal sites, foster homes, low-income day carecenters, shelters, and senior housing sites. In addition to providing emergency food, MPFS is engaged ininitiatives aimed at addressing the root causes of hunger. The non-profit's Community Gardens, CommunityKitchen and Women's Work programs seek to build self-sufficiency skills. Women Ending Hunger, an MPFSauxiliary, serves to raise public awareness about local hunger. To learn more, visitMarionPolkFoodShare.org.

Guests Sing Praises of the Hyatt Place Miami Airport West Team

Miami, FL (Summer 2013) - The Hyatt Place Miami hosted a group of 50 singers on their wayto perform a concert at a local venue. On the morning of their departure, the group's leaderapproached the general manager and raved about the exceptional service they received duringtheir stay. He went on to ask if they could show their gratitude by performing a traditionalAfrican song for the Hyatt Place staff and guests.

All 50 singers came to the lobby at breakfast and serenaded the team and guests with awonderful song. "With the acoustics in my small lobby, it felt like the whole building wasshaking for a few minutes with their amazing voices," said the General Manager. The teammembers and guests were so amazed by the talent of the singers; some guests even cried.

Hyatt Place Miami team members embody the spirit of hospitality, moving guests to literallysong and entertain their fellow guests. Thank you to the Hyatt Place Miami team for exceeding guests' expectations!

An INNspiring Story at Residence Inn Las Vegas

http://www.youtube.com/specialolympicstexashttps://www.facebook.com/specialolympicstxhttp://www.marionpolkfoodshare.org/http://twitter.com/SOTexas

Joshua Rodriguez, General Manager, visits AdameElementary Career Day

Las Vegas Residence Inn

Las Vegas, NV (July 2013) - The Residence Inn Las Vegas recently submitted the following story to be featured on the Residence Inn'sWeAre INNspiringDVD, which is distributed to all Residence Inn properties to "share stories aboutgreat service and tales of perseverance and determination," Bill Marriott, Executive Chairmanand Chairman of the Board Marriott International, Inc.

"Mr. Melaski just checked out of our hotel after staying 2,029 nights (51/2 years). Ratherthan being placed in an assisted care facility, Mr. Melaski checked into our hotel in 2007having no close family or friends. Our Staff became his family and friends; housekeeperswould bake for him and breakfast staff would run errands for him. One morning atbreakfast he mentioned chest irritations and went back up to his room. A staff memberwent to check on him and realized there was a problem so he called emergency services.At the hospital, they determined that Mr. Melaski had a minor stroke and on the way to the hospital experienced a heart attack. Ifit hadn't been for our staff, he may have gone unnoticed in the room for 24 hours. While in the hospital it was noted by hospitalstaff that his only visitors were members of the hotel team; his true family and friends!"

This heartwarming story was accepted by the review committee and can now be seen on theWe Are INNspiringDVD. Pillar Hotels is proudto have dedicated team members that care deeply about their guests and provide a true home away from home. Congratulations to theResidence Inn Las Vegas team!

Residence Inn McAllen Supports Local Community

McAllen, TX (July 2013) - The Residence Inn McAllen has been quite involved in theircommunity. General Manager, Joshua Rodriguez, recently visited and shared hisinsight with students at Adame Elementary School participating in Career Day.

Residence Inn McAllen also donated rooms to local families who lost their homes in atragic fire. Their generous acts were recognized by the local news station!

Bravo to McAllen Residence Inn for their support of the local community.

Pillar Hotels' "The Big HERT" plays with a Big Heart

Competitive Spirit on and off the Field Pays off with League Championship

Irving, TX (June 2013) - What started out as a way to build camaraderie and relieve a little stress has turned in to a winning tradition forthe Big HERT (Hotel Employees Really Trying), the Pillar Hotels & Resorts softball team.

"Playing for The Big HERT has definitely been one of my highlights during the past several years. Take a handful of guys, throw together ateam and see what happens," says pitcher Chad Martin.

Magic happened in the 2013 Spring season with the Big HERT securing the League Championship. "This is the ninth trophy in five yearsthat the Big HERT has brought home. This shows that our players are just as competitive and team oriented on the field as they are in theoffice," says outfielder Adam Tripp.

"We have had ups and downs in our league play over the past several years and have won several League Championships. This Spring wasespecially rewarding as we snuck into the playoffs and rebounded with two victories against teams that we had lost to during the regularseason. The result was a total team effort to win the Flower Mound Thursday League Championship," continued Martin.

A big "Congratulations" to the Big HERT from the entire Pillar Hotels & Resorts team!...

Back row(L to R)-Chris Russell(1B), Chad Martin(P), Brad McKinley(C), Dan Williams(C), Adam Tripp(OF), BillBraem(2B), Jerry Walker(3B)

Middle Row(L to R)-Oscar Arras(2B), Lance Kobza(OF), Chris Brett(Coach/Utility), Brett Hornick(OF)Front Row(L to R)-Keith Shorte(SS), Alonzo Alvarez(OF)

Rebuilding Oklahoma City Together

Irving, TX (June 2013) - On the afternoon of May 20, 2013, a devastating EF5 tornado, with peakwinds estimated at 210 miles per hour, struck the city of Moore, Oklahoma. The tornado took thelives of 23 people, injured 377 others, and more than 12,000 homes were destroyed or damaged.Most areas in the path of the fatal storm suffered catastrophic damage and resulted in economiclosses that will run into the billions of dollars. The recovery process has only just begun.

Before the physical rebuilding could begin, however, the exceptional staff at Pillar's Fairfield InnOklahoma City and the Residence Inn Oklahoma City was there to provide the first step in healing formany. Working to accommodate devastated and homeless guests in a building without water, theysought out local resources and were able to provide not simply the essentials of diapers, babyformula, and clothing but comfort for the victims with donations of toys. Donations that broughttears of relief for all. Fairfield Inn General Manager Larry Salazar recounted, "A mother came down tothe desk and told me that her 2 year old daughter was scared by the red light on the smoke alarm allday because she thought it was an alarm for another tornado. They couldn't get her to stop looking atit and she'd been upset all day. When her grandmother walked in with a donated purple teddy bear,her face lit up and for first time all day, she was happy and able to play. They were so grateful thattheir daughter was able to forget what had happened if even for a moment."

"Every one of the staff at the Fairfield Inn and Residence Inn had done everything they could to help make a difference...allowing thefamilies and rescue workers to go on with what they needed to do. This is a terrible thing that has happened and I am so grateful that weare able to make a difference in the lives of these families that stayed with us."

With gratitude and pride Pillar would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all for their thoughtful service in the time of need.

Pillar Employee Honored with Hoosier Hospitality Award

Irving, TX (May 2013) -Josh Yocum, Front Desk Supervisor at Comfort Inn in Kokomo, Indiana received the 2013 Lieutenant Governor'sHoosier Hospitality Award on Wednesday, May 8th. "Josh's excellent service and dedication to ensuring customers are pleased with theirexperience in Kokomo made him an easy choice for this award," said Indiana State Representative Mike Karickhoff. "We need more peoplelike him to show visiting Hoosiers and tourists what Kokomo has to offer."

Lieutenant Governor Sue Ellpermann with JoshYocum

Rep. Karickhoff along with Lieutenant Governor Sue Ellpermann and Indiana Office ofTourism Development Executive Director Mark Newman recognized top performers in thestate's hospitality industry in the ceremony in Indianapolis. Twenty representatives of thetourism industry earned the 2013 Lieutenant Governor's Hoosier Hospitality Award for theirhigh level of service in tourism-related jobs at hotels, restaurants, attractions and otherdestinations. The award ceremony was part of Visit Indiana Week, the official kickoff of thespring and summer travel season.

Team Pillar Shines at Komen Sacramento Valley Race for the Cure

Irving, TX (May 2013) - Pillar associates from theFolsom, California area recently took part in the Komen Sacramento Valley Race for the Cure. TeamCaptain, Amy Del-Rosario Bechler, GM, Folsom Courtyard, led her team of 16 through a successfulfundraising effort and the race event, raising an impressive $2,311 along the way. A last minuteflurry of donations from hotel guests and Pillar employees helped the team surpass their originalgoal of $2,000. The Komen Race for the Cure is the largest series of 5K runs/fitness walks in theworld, with well over one million participants since 2005. The team participated in celebration ofMaxine Dee, Regional Director of Operations, and in memory of Rosalie Montallana. Team Pillarwould like to say "Thank you to everyone for their support in the Komen Sacramento Valley Racefor the Cure. Your generous donations and commitment to the fight against breast cancer willenable the Sacramento Valley Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure to fund vital research,outreach and awareness programs here in our community". For information, visitKomenSacramento Valley Race for the Cure.

Pictured at left are: Liliana Mejia, Cecilia Mejia, Rhiannan Hamblin, Devon Lucas (Katherine's Son)Marites Hunt, Kristen Beeman (Maria's Daughter), Maria Taul, Kathy (Katherine's Friend), SofiaBechler, (Amy's daughter), Team Captain Amy Bechler and Emelia Matias

Pillar Empolyees Earn Shining Star Awards

Irving, TX (May 2013) - VISITHATTIESBURG recently held the annual Tourism Partnersluncheon at the Historic Train Depot in downtown Hattiesburg, MS. Highlighting theluncheon was the presentation of Shining Star awards to 17 of Hattiesburg's greatestassets - employees within the local tourism industry. Created to applaud those whoexcel at providing Hattiesburg's hallmark hospitality to visitors, the Shining Starawards were presented by Mayor Johnny DuPree.

Pillar Hotels & Resorts was well represented by the attendees and Shining Star awardwinners pictured at right (from the left): Parker Harvey, Assistant General Manager,Hampton Inn; Frank James, General Manager, Hampton Inn; Maggie Brawders,Shining Star recipient, Hampton Inn; Rynal Grant, Shining Star recipient-HamptonInn; Mayor Johnnie Dupree, Mayor of Hattiesburg (back row); Yacannia Ray, Shining

http://www.komensacramento.org/

Pillar Hotels & Resorts' volunteer, Lance Kobza,passing out medals at the Special Olympics'

Spring Games.

Pillar volunteers at the SpecialOlympics' Spring Games 2013

"Doodle" by James Wood, Illustrated by Michele QuinnAshley and Matthew

Star recipient, Hampton Inn; Cindy Warren, Sales Manager, Hampton Inn; Esther Longoria, Shining Star recipient, Fairfield Inn and Suites;Regina Walters, Shining Star recipient, Fairfield Inn and Suites; Beth Ballard, General Manager, Fairfield Inn and Suites. Congratulations toall!

Pillar Volunteers for the 2013 Special Olympics Spring Games

Arlington, TX (April 2013) - An enthusiastic and dedicated group of over 50 Pillar employeesand their families generously volunteered to support Special Olympics athletes on SaturdayApril 20, 2013. Arlington's UTA Stadium hosted the two day event for the greater Fort WorthArea Special Olympics' Spring Games, featuring approximately 1,400 inspired athletes whoselives would be forever changed through the power of sport and community.

With an early morning start, Pillar employees eagerly provided the first volunteer shifts,assisting athletes and cheering them on as they participated in variuos competitions. In thespirit of giving and teamwork, Pillar volunteers continued throughout the day with the SoftballCompetition and wrapped up the day's empowering events with medal awards for the athletes.Undoubtedly, a rewarding experience for athletes and volunteers alike, we would proudly liketo recognize the following Pillar volunteers: Leticia Marquez, Maria Jackson and family, Liz

Uber andfamily, Lindzey Smith, Alan Krzesinski, Tony Battelle, Stephen Klassen, Scott Lindeman,Michelle Hutchinson, Amy Zandt and family, Adam Tripp and family, Ralph McCann, Giselle Kuykendalland family, Jolynda Ward and family, Jason Sicore, Katie Boone, John Houghton and family, Anita Evansand family, Angie Barrera and family, Chris Russell, Melissa Rickerd, Jessica Gall, Peri Weaks andfamily, Lance Kobza and family, Stephanie McClure and family, Corey Thacker.

Pillar Hotels & Resorts began their involvement with Special Olympics of Texas in 2010 and have sincesincerely dedicated their community support to making a difference within this organization throughvolunteer efforts and direct donations. In addition to their hands-on service, Pillar Hotels hascommitted to continuously donating funds for all levels of competition for the Special Olympics ofTexas. Together, the Special Olympics' Greater Dallas and Greater Fort Worth events serve more than9,800 child and adult athletes. This year, Pillar Hotels is honored to have been recognized as a Circleof Champions Sponsor for the Special Olympics' of Texas at the Spring Games and the upcomingSummer Games.

The 2013 Summer Games will be held May 23-26 in Arlington, TX. It is the largest annual SpecialOlympics Texas state competition, embracing 3,000 athletes, 750 coaches, and 3,750 volunteers. If you are interested in volunteering forSpecial Olympics Texas, please take a moment to review the information on theirwebsite. You may also contact them at 512.835.9873 or800.876.JOIN (5646) or info@sotx.org.

Hyatt Place Columbus Supports Local Charity

Columbus, OH (April 30, 2013) - TheHyatt Place Columbusis reachingout to the local and national community to raise awareness and support ofa local charity, Ashley's Army. Ashley's Army was created to assist a younggirl in the community battling Aplastic Anemia, a rare form of bloodcancer which causes the bone marrow to stop making enough red bloodcells, white blood cells and platelets for the body. Ashley will beundergoing a bone marrow transplant in the very near future as her bravelittle brother, Matthew, is an excellent match.

To support the fundraising efforts, a local writer and illustrator team,James Wood and Michele Quinn, has authored a book entitled "Doodle," aspiritual children's book of rhyming poetry. Wood and Quinn's proceeds

from book sales will go to Ashley's Army.

The Hyatt Place Columbus has donated several gift certificates for auction, are helping to raise awareness of the charity and employeeshave purchased the "Doodle" book. "Doodle" is available for purchase on CreateSpace, an independent publisher of Amazon, for $7. Woodand Quinn's share of the profit on CreateSpace is $1.95, which they donate to Ashley's Army for sales made through May 18, 2013. For

http://columbusworthington.place.hyatt.com/en/hotel/home.htmlhttp://www.sotx.org/get-involved/volunteer/

Lewis the Duck with BeverlyBrantley and First Graders

Re-Lei Luau Luncheon and Fundraiser

Pillar Relay for Life fundraisers: (from left) AshleyConstable, Latasha Perry, Anna Puglia, Jazmin Jones,

Kellie Nice,and Brian Nocella.

information, visitdoodledogbooks.com. Direct donations can also be made toAshley's Army via Fundrazr.com.

Homewood Suites Lewisville delivers Lewis the Duck books to First Graders

Irving, TX (April 2013) - Homewood Suites Lewisville, TX associates Volkan Tekinkoc, General Manager,Beverly Brantley, Director of Sales, and Erica Barnes, Assistant General Manager, visited the first gradeclasses at College Street Elementary in Lewisville, TX on April 18th as part of the Homewood Suites "Booksfor Kids" program. The children were introduced to the Homewood Suites mascot, Lewis the Duck, andthen enjoyed a reading from "Lewis Lends a Helping Wing". After the reading, each child was surprisedwith a gift of their own Lewis the Duck book.

The "Books for Kids" program reaches out to underprivileged schools in our communities and providesLewis the Duck books to the children who participate. Homewood Suites is a sponsor of the"Books forKids Foundation"which promotes reading by donating books and establishing libraries.

Deptford Hosts Fundraiser for Relay for Life

Irving, TX (April 2013) - Fairfield Inn and Residence InnDeptford, NJ joined forces to raise an amazing $1906for the American Cancer Society Relay for Life in March.

The Re-Lei Luau Luncheon, held March 27th, featured araffle-style auction, with ticket sales generating aportion of the total donations. The team partnered witha local bakery, Tis So Sweet, who donated 50% of saleproceeds to the fundraising event. Ashley Constable, Regional Director of Sales, also donated 100% ofcommissions for her Premier Jewelry line sales at the event.A Kindle Fire, donated by Miles

Technology, was raffled boosting the fundraising total. In addition to the luncheon, theteam partnered with SJ Winery to offer a wine tour with a portion of ticket sales donated tothe Deptford Relay for Life team. The properties also offered additional Marriott Rewardspoints to guests who made donations and accepted donations from other Pillar employeesand corporate accounts.

The successful fundraising effort was capped off at the Relay for Life event held at RowanUniversity on April 12th-13th. Pillar Hotels & Resorts is committed to raising awarenessand funds for the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life and applauds the DeptfordFairfield Inn and Residence Inn team for their generosity and efforts.

Country Inn & Suites Columbus Airport Celebrates Earth Day

Irving, TX (April 2013) - Christina Kruse-Krupa, General Manager, Country Inn & Suites ColumbusAirport shared how her staff celebrated Earth Day 2013. The team showed their dedication andsupport for Earth Day by signing a pledge poster displayed in the hotel lobby. The signaturesrepresented the staff's goal to take action to lower their carbon footprint by taking measures suchas purchasing recycled office supplies (toner, paper, etc.) and recycling cardboard boxes receivedduring deliveries. The Earth Day celebration display also included a hand-painted flower pot filledwith vegetable and plant seed packets for hotel guests to take home and plant with their family.

https://fundrazr.com/campaigns/8SgQe#.UUHDIeGlAWI.facebookhttps://www.createspace.com/3555995http://www.booksforkids.org/

Experience Pink participants (left to right):Back Row: Courtney Page - Front Desk

Supervisor; Dan Hunt - AGM; Brittany Scott -Room Attendant; Rachel Crowther - GM;

Dorren Moreno - Room Attnedant; WhitneyRegis - Room Attnedant; Front Row: Alicia

Aguillon - Executive Housekeeper; JennHelder - Room Attendant

Ronald McDonald House participants (left toright): Dan Hunt - AGM; Cara Burzynski -

Front Desk; Roy Hill - Chief Engineer; MeganLoew - Sales Coordinator

Nashville and Franklin TN and HopkinsvilleKY volunteers

Pillar Hotels Join Forces to Help Second Harvest

Irving, TX (April 2013) - The Fairfield Inn & Suites Nashville, Hampton Inn & Suites Franklin, HyattPlace Franklin/Cool Springs, and Fairfield Inn & Suites Hopkinsville, KY hotels volunteered at theSecond Harvest Food Drive in Nashville on Friday, April 12th. It was a perfect day for thevolunteers to help sort food for the food bank. The team worked in a cooler than averagetemperature of 37 degrees for half a day and sorted through 10 pallets of food helping with 9,741family meals. The staff had a lot of fun, and all agreed that they would want to do this again.Thanks goes to everyone involved.

Pictured at left are: (left to right) Tiffany Logsdon, Fairfield Inn Hopkinsville; Teresa MacLachlanSMERFE, Sales Manager, Franklin; Deanna Sphaler, GM, Fairfield Inn Hopkinsville; Gina Brooks,AGM, Hyatt Place Franklin; Tiffany Lewis, DOS, Hyatt and Hampton Franklin TN; Nathan Henry,Areas DOS; Jeff Glover, GM, Hampton Franklin; Jenn Haman, Sales Coordinator, Hampton Franklin;Amanda Sharp, Sales Manager, Fairfield Inn Nashville and Hopkinsville; Karla Baker, Front OfficeSupervisor, Fairfield Inn Hopkinsville; Stephanie Michaels, GM, Hyatt Place Franklin; and BrittanyTucker, AGM, Fairfield Inn Gulfport helping the Nashville Fairfield Inn team.

A cool day in Nashville didn't slow this volunteer team one bit!

Generosity Abounds Through Pillar Employees

Irving, TX (April 2013) - The tax season might make a person feel like they couldn't possibly give any more, but that didn't stop ourproperties from continuing to be charitable! We would like to recognize the following properties for their community efforts:

February was a generous month at the SpringHill Suites in Grand Rapids, MI. The staff participatedin several charitable causes supporting both Breast Cancer Awareness and the"Ronald McDonaldHouse".

The mission of Ronald McDonald House Charities is tocreate, find and support programs that directly improvethe health and well-being of children by focusing on thecritical needs of the children and their families. RonaldMcDonald House Charities has been helping improve thelives of children and their families for 38 years.

Additionally in February, employees at the hotel bought pink uniforms and made donations inorder to wear them throughout the month of February.By "thinking pink" the staff was able toraise $200 for Breast Cancer Awareness!

Employees at the Topeka, Kansas Courtyard volunteered to help feed the brave souls that took the "Polar Plunge"' diving into icy waters inFebruary and then running a 5K! The Polar Plunge is an annual event held in seven Kansas locations and has become the largest and most

http://www.rmhc.com/

Sarah Henderson, Front Desk supervisor,Anthony Truhe, Sales Manager, Scott

Ringham, GM, and Judy Kirtley-Page, BistroAttendant, fed the Polar Plungers!

Cyclist Chris Nicholas with Nathan Anderson,General Manager, Courtyard Beaumont

Elisabeth Bowen and son Jayden

Hampton Inn Oceanfront Jacksonville

Lisa Malago honored with Athena Leadership

popular fundraising event for Special Olympics Kansas. Nature smiled on this year's event withmild temperatures, helping the event raise over $24,000 to benefit Special Olympics.

The Beaumont, Texas Courtyard was pleased to haveChris Nicholas, an advocate of the"Wounded WarriorProject", as their guest in mid-February.

Wounded Warrior Project serves veterans and servicemembers who incurred a physical or mental injury,illness, or wound, co-incident to their military service onor after September 11, 2001 and their families. Offering avariety of programs and services, WWP is equipped toserve warriors with every type of injury - from thephysical to the invisible wounds of war. Chris is trekkingacross the United States on his bicycle to raise money for this cause! Nicholas reached Beaumont120 days after he began cycling from Portland, Maine on his 6,000 mile quest to reach Portland,

Oregon.

Hampton Inn Oceanfront Jacksonville Beach Grants a Wish

Irving, TX (April 2013) - The Experience Genie teamed upwith several Jacksonville, FL businesses including our ownHampton Inn Oceanfront Jacksonville Beach, to offer terminalcancer patient Elisabeth Bowen and her 4 year old son Jaydena week of unforgettable experiences. The Experience Genie'smission is to offer a few days of fun away from hospitals anddoctors for terminally ill patients.

Elisabeth was not given very good odds from the beginningbut her determination and love for her son, as well as the restof the family, has kept her from giving up. She is definitely

not a quitter! When contacted by the Experience Genie, Donna Lilly, Director of Sales and Marketing atthe Hampton Inn did not hesitate to offer four nights at the beautifully renovated & newly reopenedhotel. She teamed up with several other amazing community partners in an effort to change a life, if evenfor a short while, with a week of granted wishes. For Elisabeth, the week of March 4, 2013 includedracing cars, meeting celebrities, and everything in between...all while staying and dining at the HamptonInn Oceanfront Jacksonville Beach.

Lisa Malago Wins Athena Leadership Award

Irving, TX (April 10, 2013) - Congratulations to Lisa Malago, one of our Regional RevenueAnalysts who was honored by her local community on February 26, 2013 by winning the ATHENALeadership Award! The ATHENA Award is an International Award inspired by the goddess ofGreek Mythology known for her strength, courage, wisdom and enlightenment.

The Athena Award is presented to the woman or man who is honored for professionalexcellence, community service and assisting women in their accomplishment of professionalsuperiority and leadership skills.

Lisa was recognized for her leadership efforts in the community including the following:Volunteer Manager for Special Olympics Pennsylvania - Fayette County for 15 year, CurrentPresident of Connellsville Business and Professional Women's Club at the local level, SecondAssistant District Director for District 12 Pennsylvania Business and Professional Women's Club,

http://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/

AwardScrapbook Chair at the State level for Pennsylvania Business and Professional Women's Club service, Board Member for the Fayette CountyChamber of Business and Industry, Board member for Soroptimist International of Fayette County, Coordinator and promoter for localscrapbooking club held at the local Carnegie Free Library to promote usage of and to financially benefit said library, and Member of theConnellsville Redevelopment Authority Festivals Promotion Committee.

Since the program started in 1982, nearly 6,000 exemplary leaders in over 500 communities have been recognized by receiving theprestigious ATHENA Award in the United States, Bermuda, Canada, China, Greece, India, Russia, Unite Arab Emirates and United Kingdom.Thank you, Lisa for supporting and inspiring others to achieve excellence!

Pillar Hotels & Resorts Change Wars - Making Cents for Special Olympics Texas

Irving, TX (March 27, 2012) - In a friendly and highly spirited Change Wars competitionbenefiting Special Olympics Texas, Pillar Hotels & Resorts employee teams proved to behungry for battle!

Pillars' corporate employees drew their battle lines carefully and divided into four teams:Making a Change for Special Olympics, the Change Gang, Mustache Your Cash, andRevenue. Rules of engagement declared each team collect as much change (pennies,nickels, dimes and quarters) as possible during the week-long campaign whilesimultaneously sabotaging the other teams with paper money donations.Strategy wascritical as transparent change collection boxes

allowed all team members to gauge the opposing teams' position at all times.

Following a week of calculating assault, team Revenue was victorious in the end with a$2,331.67 collected total. However, even the losing teams proved to be champions with Making

a Change forSpecial Olympics raising $178.29, theChange Gang $341.89 and Mustache your Cash$1,716.96! Pillar employees also contributed$2,631 in paper "sabatoge" money for a grand totalof $7,200 raised.

This cash, paired with generous donations from Simplex and Nestle, as well as vendorcontributions from All Things Hospitality, Travel Click, Valet Interactive, CVent, and Emax,allowed Pillar to become a Circle of Champions sponsor for the spring and summer SpecialOlympics Games at the $25,000 level! Congratulations Pillar Hotels & Resorts and SpecialOlympics on a victorious contribution where truly everyone is a winner!

About Special Olympics Texas1:

Special Olympics Texas (SOTX) is a privately funded non-profit organization that changes lives through the power of sport by encouragingand empowering people with intellectual disabilities, promoting acceptance for all, and fostering communities of understanding andrespect. SOTX provides continuing opportunities for more than 44,000 children and adults with intellectual disabilities throughout theLone Star State to realize their potential, develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, and experience joy and friendship. To learnmore, visitwww.specialolympicstexas.orgor call 800.876.5646. Engage with us on:Twitter@SOTexas;fb.com/SpecialOlympicsTX;youtube.com/specialolympicstexas

1About SOTX. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 Oct. 2012.

http://www.sotx.org/about/http://www.specialolympicstexas.org/http://www.youtube.com/specialolympicstexashttps://www.facebook.com/specialolympicstxhttp://twitter.com/SOTexas

Pillar's Jackson Fairfield Inn & SuitesTeams Up with Habitat for Humanity

Left to Right: LaChanze Culpepper,Michael England, and Cyreio Greene

Esther Silverman and DanielHoward, Boston Homewood Suites

Chelsea Kroll and David Weston, Homewood Suites CorpusChristi

Sedona Hampton Inn TeamMembers

Fairfield Inn & Suites Associates Rally to Build Homes

Irving, TX (March 2013) - This past fall, more than 1,250 Fairfield Inn & Suites associates across theU.S. and Canada went out into their local communities and built homes for those in need. All 52 PillarHotels and Resort Fairfield Inn properties participated; they rolled up their sleeves and joined to helpbuild more than 75 homes in 40 states nationwide.

Shruti Buckley, Vice President or Fairfield Inn & Suites, MarriottInternational, Inc. said, "With the help of individual properties andassociates like these, we are able to extend the hospitality andservice we're known for into our local communities to provide thesefamilies with a brighter future."

Hats off to our Jackson Mississippi Fairfield Inn & Suites, whoseemployees built a house in Jackson Mississippi for a family in need.These volunteers displayed dedication to the community and helpedto support Habitat for Humanity; an organization that providesdecent, affordable housing for families.

In addition to building homes, Pillar Fairfield Employees donated materials, food and their time to support Habit for Humanity. It iswonderful to see the time and effort that all of the Fairfield properties put into volunteering. Their work will continue to have a positiveimpact on the community.

Pillar Employees Are Always Ready to Lend a Hand

Irving, TX (March 2013) - As one of our pillars of strength, Community is very important. Pillar Employees all over the country havevolunteered to lend a hand to organizations and people in need. From Topeka to Boston, everyone seems to have a big heart and is readyto step up and help.

Team Members and guests from the Boston HomewoodSuites delivered food to their local food shelter, HavenFrom Hunger, which supplies food to approximately200 people per week.

The Homewood Suites Corpus Christi's Chelsea Kroll,Director of Sales, and David Weston, General Managervolunteered to read to a group of children at HeadStart.

Employees of the Sedona Hampton Inn participated inthe annual Mitzvah "Good Deed" Day, volunteering various services from lawn care for the elderly tomaking blankets for children at a local shelter.

Staff at the Topeka Courtyard and other volunteers assisted HarvestersFood Bank by packaging over 1000 boxes of food for underprivilegedfamilies.

Volunteers (Left to right) Kyle Tullis- fellow volunteer; Sarah Henderson, Bonnie Zentz, Anthony Truhe,Scott Ringham, and Jasper Ringham

Davenport Country Inn & Suites, Fairfield Inn, Residence Inn, and Moline Fairfield Inn all worked togetherto collect food and money for the Quad City Food Bank. Together, they provided one and a half tons offood and $400 cash.