McLean, VA, October 28, 2010  –  A new, first-of-its-kind library opened in Washington, DC  on Tuesday, October 26 as the result of a partnership between Homewood Suites by Hilton and early childhood education advocacy group Books for Kids.  The Homewood Books for Kids library, built in the E C Mazique Parent Child Center , will ensure that all at-risk preschoolers served by the Head Start/Early Head Start program have access to brand new books, reading programs and other educational tools that serve as key building blocks for early literacy skills.  
 
“Opening our second library in the D.C. area gives us a great opportunity to put the spotlight on the childhood literacy cause; a
significant national issue,” said Bill Duncan, global head of brand management, Homewood Suites by Hilton.  “The Homewood Suites family is committed to help generate awareness, and do everything in our power to support those leading the way for the cause like our friends at Books for Kids, the E C Mazique Parent Child Center and Head Start.”
 
Books for Kids efforts include taking over unused rooms in existing venues in low income neighborhoods, and transforming them into a magical educational environment filled with thousands of books and fun opportunities for learning.   
 
The Homewood Suites brand team has been working closely with the Center and Books for Kids in the complete renovation of the space which previously served as an unused classroom.  Included in the refurbishment of the room are the addition of a wall and the complete transformation of the space with child-like duck benches, reading forts, rainbows, and Leap Frog learning centers, resulting in a truly magical educational environment.  Homewood Suites team members arrived prior to the start of the event to stock approximately 1,000 new books and put the finishing touches on the library.  
 
Bill Duncan was joined by Hilton Worldwide's President of Global Brands & Commercial Services, Paul Brown; Executive Director of Books for Kids, Shawna Doster; Executive Director of the National Head Start Association, Yasmina Vinci; and E C Mazique Parent Child Center Director, Almeta Keys for the official ribbon cutting ceremony.
   
The D.C. opening is the second in a line of Books for Kids libraries that Homewood Suites will open over the next several years, as the Memphis-based extended stay hotel brand helps the organization expand nationally.
 
About Books for Kids
To date, Books for Kids has opened 65 libraries in the New York Tri-State area stocking approximately 25,000 books and giving away another 5 million.  The organization’s mission is to provide the resources preschool-aged children and their families need to build a solid foundation for learning and competing academically with their peers.  For more information visit www.booksforkids.org.   
 
About Homewood Suites by Hilton
Launched in 1989, the Homewood Suites by Hilton brand today has more than 300 hotels open with approximately 110 in the development pipeline. Beyond its spacious suites and home-like amenities, additional guest features include an on-site Suite Shop convenience store, complimentary grocery shopping services*, a complete business center, and laundry services at most locations. For more information, please visit www.homewoodsuites.com.  
 
About Hilton Worldwide  
Hilton Worldwide is the leading global hospitality company, spanning the lodging sector from luxurious full-service hotels and resorts to extended-stay suites and mid-priced hotels.  For more than 90 years, Hilton Worldwide has been offering business and leisure travelers the finest in accommodations, service, amenities and value.  The company is dedicated to continuing its tradition of providing exceptional guest experiences across its global brands.  Its brands are comprised of more than 3,500 hotels in 81 countries and include Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts, Conrad Hotels & Resorts, Hilton, Doubletree, Embassy Suites Hotels, Hilton Garden Inn, Hampton Inn & Suites, Homewood Suites by Hilton, Home2 Suites by Hilton and Hilton Grand Vacations.  The company also manages the world-class guest reward program Hilton HHonors.  For more information about the company, please visit www.hiltonworldwide.com.

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