�Over the past few years, the number of homeless families and individuals has been on the rise, presenting us with a real opportunity to assist those in need of help,� said Bill Otto, president and chief operating officer of Marcus Hotels and Resorts.  �Our goal is to utilize some of the resources and services of the hospitality industry to help make the lives of the homeless a little easier.  Marcus has always had a strong relationship with the community and saw an opportunity to lend our expertise and resources in this critical area.� �The Linen-Aid program created by The Marcus Corporation, using laundry services and recycled bed linens and blankets from their hotels, is an innovative way to provide tangible assistance to local families in need or in crisis,� said Norman McKonly, executive director of the Greater Milwaukee Chapter of the American Red Cross.  �With committed partners like Marcus

Keith Scheffler, general manager of Wisconsin Hospitality Linen Service and Norman McKonly, executive director of the Greater Milwaukee Chapter of the American Red Cross, discuss operation of an innovative partnership between the lodging divisions of The Marcus Corporation and the Red Cross to provide free laundry services and linens to Milwaukee area charities and shelters that work with the homeless.

Wisconsin Hospitality Linen Service (WHLS), Marcus� major commercial laundry facility at 130 West Edgerton in Milwaukee, serves four area, Marcus-owned hotels�the Pfister Hotel, the Hilton Milwaukee, the Hilton Madison Monona Terrace and the Grand Geneva Resort and Spa�as well as a number of third-party hospitality and lodging businesses in southeastern Wisconsin and northern Illinois.

Headquartered in Milwaukee, Wis., The Marcus Corporation is a leader in the lodging and entertainment industries.  The company�s limited service lodging division operates or franchises 187 Baymont Inns & Suites in 31 states and seven Woodfield Suites in Illinois, Wisconsin, Colorado, Ohio and Texas.  Marcus Theatres owns or manages 490 screens at 47 locations in Wisconsin, Ohio, Illinois and Minnesota, and one family entertainment center in Wisconsin.  Marcus Hotels and Resorts owns or manages 11 hotels and resorts in Wisconsin, California, Minnesota, Missouri and Texas, and one vacation club in Wisconsin.