Press Release
December 27, 2000
BEVERLY HILLS, CA -- Hilton Hotels Corp. and its family of brands filled the holiday season by sponsoring and supporting
numerous charities, both at its Worldwide Headquarters, at its regional offices in Memphis, Tenn., and at many
of its owned and franchised properties around the country.
During the holiday season, Hilton's Worldwide Headquarters, in Beverly Hills, spearheaded several philanthropic
activities. The corporate office purchased books for each of the 700 children attending the 118th Street Elementary
School in South Central Los Angeles. The office also participated in ``Operation Gobble 2000,'' providing more
than 600 Thanksgiving turkeys to local charities, which in turn distributed them to needy families.
Hilton is also one of many sponsors for ``Bright Lights of L.A.'' -- a holiday tree-lighting event benefiting the
Starlight Childrens Foundation(SM). The company also sponsored a ``Sleigh of 40 Children'' at the Venice Family
Clinic, and a food drive for the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank was also completed.
During the holidays, Hilton sponsored a party for 83 foster children in conjunction with the Children's Institute
International (CII). Employees selected children and gave them the gifts they requested.
Hilton's Memphis office continues its adopt-a-school tradition, taking gifts to the children at the annual Avon
Lenox Holiday Pizza Party. The office also hosted the annual Youth Villages Christmas Party. Youth Villages is
a residential treatment center for emotionally troubled youth.
Lastly, in cooperation with Hands On Memphis, a playground called Hilton Playland and Positive Gardens are currently
under construction by Hilton employees at the Exchange Club, a family counseling facility.
Many of Hilton's hotels, including properties in its family of brands, support innovative, charitable programs
year-round.
At the Pointe Hilton Squaw Peak Resort, employees created Pumpkins at the Peak, with food donations benefiting
St. Mary's Food Bank.
In Baltimore, the Homewood Suites by Hilton Baltimore/BWI Airport continues its affiliation with the Grant-A-Wish
Foundation(TM) and delivered toys to the Sinai Hospital Pediatric Oncology Unit.
In Durham, N.C., the Doubletree Guest Suites held a raffle to purchase toys for Duke Children's Hospital.
In Memphis, sales coordinators brought together employees from the local Embassy Suites, Hampton Inn and Homewood
Suites, donating canned food, holding a rummage sale and participating in a gift-wrapping event for the children
of St. Jude Children's Hospital.
The Hilton in Glendale, Calif., donates toys to Children's Hospital in Los Angeles.
Hilton Atlanta hosted its fifth annual ``Feed the Homeless'' project, while the Waldorf-Astoria® in New York
completed a Coat Drive, Food Drive and Toy Drive for community groups.
Out in Hawaii, the Hilton Hawaiian Village® held a Holiday Blood Drive, while taking a food wagon to the streets,
serving lunch to more than 400 people.
Hilton Hotels is recognized internationally as a pre-eminent hospitality company. The company develops, owns, manages
or franchises 1,900 hotels, resorts and vacation-ownership properties. Its portfolio includes many of the world's
best-known and most highly regarded hotel brands, including Hilton®, Doubletree®, Embassy Suites Hotels®,
Hampton Inn®, Hampton Inn & Suites®, Harrison Conference Centers®, Hilton Garden Inn®, Hilton
Grand Vacations Company®, Homewood Suites® by Hilton, Red Lion Hotels & Inns® and Conrad(TM).
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Contact:
Hilton Hotels Corp., Beverly Hills
Kathy Shepard, 310/205-7676
http://www.hilton.com