TownePlace Suites Recognizes Military's Children through real giving™ Program

BETHESDA, Md., Jan. 9, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- This year, to celebrate the fifth anniversary of TownePlace Suites by Marriott's real giving™ program, the extended-stay hotel brand is recognizing the children of military members for all that they sacrifice for their country. This past weekend, TownePlace Suites hosted a thank you event at Naval Support Activity Bethesda, home of Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, in addition to sending books to these special kids across the United States.

TownePlace Suites has partnered with Operation CHAMPS (Child Heroes Attached to Military Personnel), an organization that works with civilian communities to give back to U.S. military families around the world. As part of this effort, TownePlace Suites hosted an event, during which participants enjoyed entertainment and activities, including a reading of the book "The Little CHAMPS," as well as a meet-and-greet with the authors. TownePlace Suites also donated 500 copies of the book to kids across the country.

Event participants also helped make blankets for patients in Walter Reed's pediatric ward. Blanket-making for local children's hospitals is an annual TownePlace Suites tradition. TownePlace Suites associates, owners, franchisees and guests across the United States and Canada made and donated thousands of fleece blankets this year. Hotel teams raised money for materials, organized events to assemble the cozy gifts and made in-person deliveries to Children's Miracle Network Hospital patients.

"TownePlace Suites' mission is to take care of our extended-stay hotel guests while they're on the road, and our real giving™ program allows us to take care of our communities as well," said Loren Nalewanski, vice president and global brand manager, TownePlace Suites. "Our real giving™ initiative is where our heart is, whether we are working with local children's hospitals or our nation's military heroes and their families."

Every year, TownePlace Suites hotel teams give back to their local communities through the real giving™ program. For more about this initiative, check the TownePlace Suites Facebook page throughout the year.

TownePlace Suites by Marriott is an all-suite, extended-stay hotel brand in the moderate price range. Ranked highest in the Extended Stay category in the J.D. Power 2013 North America Hotel Guest Satisfaction Index Study^SM, TownePlace Suites has also been #1 for mid-price extended stays in Business Travel News' Hotel Chain Survey in 2011, 2012 and 2013. Ideal for travelers who need accommodations for longer stays, TownePlace Suites offer studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom suites with fully equipped kitchens and separate living/working and sleeping areas. Launched in 1997, the brand currently has more than 200 locations in the United States and Canada. TownePlace Suites participates in the award-winning Marriott Rewards^® frequent travel program that allows members to earn hotel points or airline miles for every dollar spent during each stay. For more information or reservations, call the TownePlace Suites toll-free number at 800-257-3000, visit www.towneplacesuites.com or become a fan at www.facebook.com/towneplacesuites. 

Visit Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) for company information. For more information or reservations, please visit our website at www.marriott.com, and for the latest company news, visit www.marriottnewscenter.com.

Since 1983, Children's Miracle Network Hospitals has raised more than $4.7 billion—most of it $1 at a time—for 170 children's hospitals across the United States and Canada, which, in turn, use the money where it's needed the most. These donations have gone to support research and training, purchase equipment, and pay for uncompensated care, all in support of the mission to save and improve the lives of as many children as possible. Marriott International holds the honorable distinction of being Children's Miracle Network Hospitals' longest standing corporate partner. Since 1983 Marriott International has raised more than $92 million for Children's Miracle Network Hospitals throughout the country. Funds raised stay in the community in which they were raised.

SOURCE Marriott International