Marriott, New Orleans Area Habitat for Humanity, and KaBOOM! Rebuild New Orleans Neighborhoods

FIVE YEARS AFTER HURRICANE KATRINA, MORE THAN 350 MARRIOTT ASSOCIATES AND HOTEL GUESTS WORK SIDE-BY-SIDE TO BUILD HOMES IN HARDEST-HIT NEIGHBORHOODS

Elected Officials Invited to Volunteer

News provided by

Marriott International, Inc.

Aug 23, 2010, 07:00 ET

BETHESDA, Md. and NEW ORLEANS, Aug. 23 /PRNewswire/ --

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What:	More than 350 Marriott associates will work side-by-side with hotel guests to build a New Orleans Area Habitat for Humanity home and a KaBOOM! playground in neighborhoods hardest hit by Hurricane Katrina home to many of Marriott's 1,800 area associates. Elected officials are invited to volunteer. Money from Marriott's Disaster Relief Fund will sponsor the future construction of two homes, which Marriott associates may be eligible to own.

Why:	When Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast in 2005, Marriott International, associates, owners and franchisees around the world rallied to help -- contributing nearly $6 million over five years in donations and vacation time to a fund to support fellow associates and rebuild the city of New Orleans and its surrounding communities. To date, $5.5 million has been distributed and the remaining funds -- about $500,000 -- will support "Marriott's Spirit to Serve New Orleans" associate and guest voluntourism projects leading up to the fifth anniversary of Hurricane Katrina.
	Marriott plays an active role in the communities where our associates live and work. It's a philosophy that began with our founders, J. Willard and Alice S. Marriott, more than 80 years ago and is called "Spirit to Serve Our Communities." Since 2007, Marriott associates in New Orleans have contributed over 6,000 volunteer hours to build six Habitat homes, which were presented to Marriott associates. Company-wide, Marriott associates donated more than 320,000 volunteer hours last year to local charities and organizations in their communities. For more information on Marriott's community service initiatives, visit www.marriott.com/socialresponsibility.

When:	Wednesday, August 25, 2010 from 12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.
	Press Conference (including KaBOOM! and New Orleans Area Habitat)
	Location: 2nd floor Media Center at New Orleans Marriott, 555 Canal Street, New Orleans

	Friday, August 27, 2010 from 2:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
	KaBOOM! Ribbon Cutting
	Location: Burke Park, 2501 Chippewa Street, New Orleans

	Saturday, August 28, 2010 from 7:45 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
	New Orleans Area Habitat Home Build
	Location: 1700 Frenchman Street, 7th Ward