Fairfield Inn & Suites Associates Rally to Build More Than 100 Homes for Those in Need

BETHESDA, Md., Dec. 1, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- From hotel to home, Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott is extending the power of hospitality into the local community, one new home at a time. This fall, more than 1,500 Fairfield Inn & Suites associates from across the U.S. and in Canada went out into their local communities, rolled up their sleeves, and helped build more than 100 homes for those in need. As part of the brand's longstanding commitment to Habitat for Humanity International, Fairfield Inn & Suites associates nationwide joined together for the brand's second annual Rally to Serve month-long event, helping to build more than 100 homes in 44 states and Canada.

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Fairfield Inn & Suites associates from 150 hotels across the country rallied together in support of Habitat for Humanity. Hotels participated by building homes, donating products and volunteering countless hours at local Habitat ReStores. Additionally, hotels volunteered by helping at the Habitat for Humanity pumpkin patch, helping to open several new Habitat ReStores across the US, participating in a Habitat 3K fun run and serving up the Fairfield breakfast on home builds.

"We were overwhelmed by our associates' passion for the Rally to Serve - Hospitality at Home® program and the remarkable level of participation this fall," said Shruti Buckley, vice president, Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott. "With the help of individual properties and associates like these, we are able to extend the hospitality and service we're known for into our local communities to provide these families with a brighter future."

The Fairfield Inn & Suites brand supports the Habitat for Humanity organization through Hospitality at Home, a program combining cash, in-kind and volunteerism to benefit local affiliates of Habitat for Humanity International.  Through home sponsorships, volunteer hours at local Habitat ReStores, product donations from renovations, or through financial donations, the national Hospitality at Home program engages Fairfield Inn & Suites associates, owners, franchisees, and customers to help Habitat for Humanity continue its work in providing decent, affordable housing for families in need.

"We have a long history of giving back to the communities where we work and live. Since we began our relationship with Habitat in 1995 with the grand opening of our 200th Fairfield Inn hotel, we have grown to more than 670 hotels and contributed numerous volunteer hours and financial support towards the completion of more than 250 homes," said Bruce Reed, Account Executive, Select Service and Extended Stay Hotels, Marriott International, Inc.  "With the Hospitality at Home program, we not only have the chance to help make various families' dreams of home ownership come true, but we are also able to help them provide a better and safer environment for their children."

In addition to home builds, participating Fairfield Inn & Suites hotels donate items from hotel renovations to Habitat ReStores, retail stores that sell quality used and surplus building materials and furnishings to raise money for local Habitat builds. The Hospitality at Home program aligns with Marriott International's focus on shelter and food as part of its five global social issues represented by the letters in "SERVE" – Shelter and Food, Environment, Readiness for Hotel Careers, Vitality of Children, and Embracing Global Diversity and Inclusion.

[Editors note: for images, visit  http://www.flickr.com/photos/marriott/sets/72157628092892330/with/6384694399/]

With more than 670 properties throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico, guests can rely on Fairfield Inn & Suites to deliver outstanding service so travel is easy, comfortable and productive, wherever their travel may take them. Fairfield Inn & Suites participates in the company's award-winning Marriott Rewards® frequent guest program.  Members earn their choice of points toward free vacations or frequent flyer mileage for dollars spent at nearly 3,000 Marriott hotels worldwide. For more information or reservations, visit the web site at www.fairfieldinn.com or call the Fairfield Inn toll-free number at 800-228-2800. 

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SOURCE Marriott International