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Benchmark Launches National Literacy Initiative with Gift
To New George & Cynthia Woods Mitchell Library
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From New York to Hawaii, Benchmark Properties
Champion Literacy in Local Communities

The Woodlands (Houston), Texas, November 2005 � Benchmark Hospitality International, which manages 28 award-winning resorts, conference centers and hotels in the United States and Japan, has launched a company-wide initiative to advance literacy in each of the markets in which it operates. 

Part of the company's community outreach program, called "Hometown Hospitality," the initiative was kicked off on November 15 with a gift of $5000, presented by Burt Cabañas, Founder, Chairman & CEO of Benchmark, to the newly-opened George & Cynthia Woods Mitchell Library in The Woodlands, Texas. 

Benchmark's Home Office employees also contributed to the library by donating new hardcover editions of their favorite children's literature classics as well as contemporary fiction and non-fiction titles for adults.

"Literacy is a critical component of every person's success in life," stated Burt Cabañas.  "I experienced this first hand as a child coming to America from Cuba.  Gaining command of the spoken and written language was an enormous help for rapid integration into school and the community in which I lived."  Cabañas continued with, "I'm deeply sensitive to the importance of providing literacy support within our home communities and so it is with great pleasure that I announce our company's first unified 'Hometown Hospitality' initiative - the drive toward literacy." 

Each Benchmark property is actively supporting the literacy initiative in their local  community through involvement with school programs, children's reading and tutorial initiatives, English as a Second Language classes for adults (which Benchmark provides for employees company-wide as well), book drives, active support of libraries, and many other literacy-focused programs.

"'Hometown Hospitality' is emblematic of our founding principles of Living, Learning and Leisure - a balanced approach to life and work," concluded Cabañas.  "Strong, civic minded companies can and should walk hand-in-hand with those in their community, leading to a better quality of life for everyone.  This 'getting involved and giving back' is more than just about feeling good; in the end a healthy -- and literate -- community also makes sound business sense." 
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Photo L to R:  Burt Cabañas, Chairman & CEO, Benchmark Hospitality International, presenting the $5000 gift to George P. Mitchell and Jerilynn Williams, Montgomery County Library Director, who accepted the check on behalf of the South Montgomery County Friends of the Library.

Benchmark Hospitality International, an independent hospitality management company based in The Woodlands (Houston), Texas, operates resorts, conference centers and hotels both domestically and internationally.  For locations of Benchmark Hospitality properties and for additional information, visit Benchmark's Website at www.benchmarkhospitality.com.

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Contact:

Benchmark Hospitality International
The Woodlands (Houston), Texas
www.benchmarkhospitality.com

Ken Ellens
Ken Ellens Communications
201-758-2864 / 201-758-2865-Fax
[email protected]
 

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Also See: Burt Cabañas; From Immigrant & Lifeguard to Founder, Chairman, CEO of Benchmark Hospitality / October 2001

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