Minneapolis, Minnesota, February 1, 2013 … CSM Corporation has announced the donation of $86,975 to the Ronald McDonald House Charities, Upper Midwest Division.  The company, which owns and operates 38 nationally-branded hotels across the country through the subsidiary CSM Lodging, selected Ronald McDonald House Charities in 2010 as their companywide charitable partner and never looked back.  Along with CSM Corporation’s contribution, many of the company’s 2200 employees actively participated in the partnership during 2012, donating resources, in-kind gifts and personal time working with Ronald McDonald Houses in five states, with donations collectively totaling $86,975.  CSM Corporation’s founder and CEO, Gary Holmes, presented the check to John Stanoch, president and CEO of Ronald McDonald House Charities Upper Midwest.
 
“It is such an honor for all of us at CSM Corporation to partner with Ronald McDonald House Charities,” said Bill Upshaw, president of the company’s lodging and residential division, CSM Lodging.  “One of our company’s core values is to give back to the communities in which our hotels are located.  I can’t think of a more worthy organization for us to be affiliated with than one that supports hospitalized children and their families.”


“We are honored and humbled by the outpouring of support from CSM management and employees," said John Stanoch, president and CEO of Ronald McDonald House Charities Upper Midwest.  "CSM employees have prepared and served meals to families through our Cooks for Kids volunteer program, and participated in other service projects. CSM organized creative events to raise funds and collect much-needed pantry items and other in-kind donations for a total of 956 hours of volunteer time."  Mr. Stanoch continued with, "In December, we were honored to receive a check from CSM for $86,975 to support our efforts. None of our programs are fee-based, meaning families are never expected to pay for services. CSM’s generosity makes it possible for us to continue to support families when they need it most. We look forward to continuing this partnership with CSM in 2013.” 
 
The Ronald McDonald House program provides a “home-away-from-home” for families of seriously ill or injured children, so they can stay close by their hospitalized child at little or no cost.  The Ronald McDonald Houses are built on the simple idea that nothing else should matter when a family is focused on the healing of their child.  Ronald McDonald House Charities believes that when a child is hospitalized the love and support of family is as powerful as the strongest medicine prescribed.  By staying at a Ronald McDonald House, parents can also better communicate with their child’s medical team and keep up with complicated treatment plans when needed.

CSM Corporation is the largest corporate contributing partner to Ronald McDonald House Charities Upper Midwest.  The company’s experience with the Ronald McDonald House program has proven so emotionally rewarding to CSM Corporation and its 2200 employees that they look forward to continuing the partnership throughout 2013.  
 
For more information about Ronald McDonald House Charities Upper Midwest, contact Sarah Nelson, director of marketing and communication, at 612-767-2785 or [email protected].

About CSM Lodging
CSM Lodging, a division of CSM Corporation, acquires, develops and manages quality hospitality real estate investments within select markets across the United States. The company is known for their business ethos of treating their customers and associates with integrity and respect, and for their commitment to the future of the communities in which they live and work.

In 1994, CSM purchased its first hotel in St. Paul, Minnesota. By the end of 2002, CSM had opened 29 hotels and developed a presence in Minneapolis, Portland, Denver, Boston, Detroit, Seattle and Naples. Today, CSM Lodging manages 38 hotels nationwide and continues to achieve awards in design, openings, quality, sales excellence, marketing and revenue management.

CSM Lodging is part of the CSM Corporation family of companies, founded in 1976, which has engaged in the acquisition, development, leasing, management and ownership of quality real estate assets. The extensive portfolio includes retail, office & industrial, multi-family residential, and hotel properties across the United States.