The Ritz-Carlton Offers The Perfect Gift That Keeps On Giving Benefitting Make-A-Wish®

CHEVY CHASE, Md., Dec. 9, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Inspire. Engage. Contribute. These are the guiding principles of Community Footprints®, The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company's social responsibility program focusing on hunger and poverty relief, environmental responsibility, and the well-being of children, which also encourages guests to give back to our local communities.  Around the world throughout the year, The Ritz-Carlton is proud to support Make-A-Wish, where hotels enliven exceptional wish experiences for children facing life-threatening illnesses. This holiday season from December 9^th through the 22^nd, the global hotel company will donate 10 percent of the card value for every Community Footprints Gift Card purchased in the U.S., Caribbean and online – donating up to $100,000 to Make-A-Wish.

"We are in the business of creating lasting memories for all of our guests, but there is no greater joy than bestowing a child's wish," offered Herve Humler, President and Chief Operating Officer of The Ritz-Carlton, Hotel Company.  "I am humbled that our Ladies and Gentlemen feel empowered to leave indelible marks on these brave children's lives and this gift card allows our customers around the world to support the extraordinary, life-changing experiences that Make-A-Wish delivers," he continued.

From a young boy's wish to soar amongst the skyscrapers in a helicopter ride; a birthday party 118 floors above Hong Kong's iconic Victoria Harbor; a starring role for a pint-sized super model to glide down a catwalk during a European Fashion Week; a V.V.I.P.'s private tour of New York City to all the renowned landmarks, including a cruise on the Harbor and visit to The Empire State Building Observatory; a royal princess for a day in Abu Dhabi, ceremoniously graced with a ball gown, coronation, carriage ride and Prince Charming; to  fulfilling a child's fantasy of swimming amongst the dolphins and lounging on a yacht in the Canary Islands. 

"We're thankful for the generous support from the Ladies and Gentlemen of The Ritz-Carlton and the willingness of those participating in this program to help us grant wishes for children with life-threatening medical conditions this Holiday Season," said David Williams, President and Chief Executive Officer, Make-A-Wish America.  "Together through this relationship, The Ritz-Carlton and Make-A-Wish are able to grant more wishes in communities around the world."

The Ritz-Carlton global family has embraced granting wishes and magnified them by galvanizing their professional and personal contacts in the spirit of selfless service for a meaningful endeavor.

"At Make-A-Wish we have one purpose: to grant the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy," said Jon Stettner, President and Chief Executive Officer, Make-A-Wish International. "The wish experience is transformational. It is life-changing. Like The Ritz-Carlton, we strive to leave lasting impressions.  It is the notion that the 'small touches to grand unexpected gestures' are the cornerstones of the wish experiences which our wish granters, including The Ritz-Carlton, perform for these special children."

The Community Footprints Gift Cards are available in denominations starting from $25.00 and may be redeemed at The Ritz-Carlton hotels and resorts worldwide for accommodations, spa treatments, dining and amenities. 

The Gift Cards may be purchased at properties within the United States and the Caribbean or by visiting http://www.ritzcarlton.com/en/Retail/CardsAndCertificates.htm. For more updates on our social responsibility efforts, please follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/RitzCarltonCSR.  To learn more about Make-A-Wish, please visit www.wish.org and www.worldwish.org. 

About The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, LLC
The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C., of Chevy Chase, Md., currently operates 84 hotels in the Americas, Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and the Caribbean. More than 30 hotel and residential projects are under development around the globe. The Ritz-Carlton is the only service company to have twice earned the prestigious Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award, an award that originated in 1987. Its purpose is to promote the awareness of quality excellence, recognize quality achievements of companies and publicize successful quality strategies. The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company won the award in 1992 and 1999. For more information, or reservations, contact a travel professional, call toll free in the U.S. 1-800-241-3333, or visit the company web site at www.ritzcarlton.com. The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR).

About Make-A-Wish®
Make-A-Wish grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy. The impact of a wish experience spans a lifetime; strengthening children as they fight their illness, encouraging their families and inspiring their communities. Based in Phoenix, Make-A-Wish is one of the world's leading children's charities, serving children in nearly 50 countries on five continents. With the help of generous donors and more than 30,000 volunteers worldwide, Make-A-Wish has granted more than 310,000 wishes since its inception in 1980. Visit Make-A-Wish America at wish.org or Make-A-Wish International at worldwish.org and discover how you can share the power of a wish®.

SOURCE The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C.