The Woodlands (Houston), Texas, January 21, 2010 ... Benchmark Hospitality International and Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) received an overwhelming response to the partnership’s nationwide Hometown Hospitality Caring for Our Communities™ vacation initiative, announced Laura Neumann.  Ms. Neumann, vice president for Benchmark Hospitality and general manager for the company’s Cheyenne Mountain Resort of Colorado Springs, serves as the champion for the national initiative, which is providing 30 complimentary vacations to deserving families coast-to-coast and in Hawaii.  Benchmark Hospitality partnered with BGCA for the initiative, one of the nation’s most respected youth organizations providing quality after-school programming to young people, ages 6 to 18.

"We are profoundly moved by the huge response to our Hometown Hospitality vacation initiative and are so pleased to be able to provide 30 vacations to such deserving families across the nation,” said Laura Neumann.  “We’re extremely grateful to the Boys & Girls Clubs of America organization, which has been a terrific partner.”

Several of the Boys & Girls Clubs applicants reported that a vacation in any form was not an option for their family this year, which can be particularly hard on children.  “It was especially moving to read the applications from girls and boys who were asking for consideration for a Benchmark vacation -- not for themselves, but for their mom, dad, sisters and brothers,” concluded Ms. Neumann.  “We are really looking forward to welcoming these 30 families to our hotels and resorts.” 

The 30 complimentary vacations for families of four include guest accommodations, three meals each day, full access to recreation or resort amenities, and access to several local destination attractions as well.  In addition, $100 gas cards are being provided, compliments of Shell Oil Company, to each family to help cover transportation. 

Congratulations to the girls and boys and their families selected in the Caring for Our Communities Vacation initiative:

ARIZONA: Scottsdale Resort, Scottsdale (a five-day vacation)

·         Deondre Onya - Boys & Girls Clubs of Tucson

·         Andrew & Armando Coronado - Boys & Girls Clubs of the East Valley

·         Mia & Jobe Cullen - Boys & Girls Clubs of Metropolitan Phoenix

CALIFORNIA: Chaminade Resort and Spa, Santa Cruz (a five-day vacation)

·         Tamvy Thien Pham - Boys & Girls Clubs of Westminster

COLORADO: Cheyenne Mountain Resort, Colorado Springs (a five-day vacation)

·         Keyabu Jenkins - Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Denver

·         Kiara and Kyana Thomas - Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Denver

·         Savannah, Sergio and Rico Palomino - Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Denver

FLORIDA:  Costa d’ Este, Vero Beach (a three-day vacation)

·         Robin Turner - Boys & Girls Club of Indian River County 

HAWAII:  Turtle Bay Resort, Oahu (a five-day vacation)

·         Dwayne “Dino” Ortiz - Boys & Girls Club of Hawaii

·         Jeremy Friedman - Boys & Girls Club of Hawaii

·         Joanne Redmond - Boys & Girls Club of Hawaii

ILLINOIS:  Eaglewood Resort, Itasca-Chicago (a five-day vacation)

·         Martin Orozco - Boys & Girls Clubs of Northwest Indiana

·         Jessica Franco - Boys & Girls Club of Green Bay

NEW JERSEY: The Heldrich Hotel, New Brunswick (a five-day vacation)

·         Tanayqua Delgado - Boys & Girls Clubs of Union County

·         Amanda Barrientos - Boys & Girls Clubs of Newark

NEW YORK: Edith Macy, Briarcliff Manor (a five-day vacation)

·         Caitlyn Hamelinck - Boys & Girls Club of Somerset

TENNESSEE: The Chattanoogan (a three-day vacation)

·         Patricia Nicholson - Boys & Girls Clubs of Chattanooga

·         Omarri Suggs - Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta

·         Devonte Saunders - Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta

TEXAS: Hotel Contessa, San Antonio (a five-day vacation)

·         Marcus Villagomez - Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Dallas

·         Jamaria, Bruce - Boys & Girls of Clubs of San Antonio

·         Dre’Chan Moody - Boys & Girls of Clubs of San Antonio

·         Joshua Alvarado - Boys & Girls Clubs of San Antonio

VIRGINIA: Lansdowne Resort, Leesburg (a three-day vacation)

·         Ebony Acton - Boys & Girls Club of Annapolis and Anne Arundel County

·         Jordon Weigand - Boys & Girls Club of Loudoun County

·         Katherine Majewski - Boys & Girls Club of Loudoun County

VIRGINIA: Founders Inn and Spa, Virginia Beach (a five-day vacation)

·         Anwar Sparrow - Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeast Virginia

·         Glenn Garnes - Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeast Virginia 

WEST VIRGINIA: Stonewall (a five-day vacation)

·         Sahera, Zyier and Mojave Gibson - Boys & Girls Clubs of Western Pennsylvania   

·         Trinity Hall - Orrville Area Boys & Girls Club

Boys & Girls Club members from 24 states entered the Benchmark Hospitality vacation program and accompanied their applications with touching essays on why they felt their families should be considered for complimentary vacations, which Benchmark Hospitality properties were providing.  Boys & Girls Clubs of America worked with local clubs in regions where Benchmark Hospitality has hotels and resorts, and provided 250 applications to Benchmark and its properties for final review and selection.  Families were notified in December and January by the Benchmark property in their region participating in the program.

About BGCA: 
For more than 100 years, Boys & Girls Clubs of America (www.bgca.org)  has helped kids "Be Great," providing hope and opportunity for those who need it most. Today, more than 4,300 Clubs serve some 4.5 million young people through Club membership and community outreach. Known as The Positive Place for Kids, Boys & Girls Clubs can be found throughout the country and on U.S. military bases worldwide, providing young people 6-18 years old with guidance-oriented character development programs conducted by trained, professional staff. Clubs positively impact lives and help young people reach their full potential as productive, caring citizens. Key programs emphasize leadership development; education and career exploration; community service; technology training; financial literacy; health and life skills; the arts; sports, fitness and recreation; and family outreach. In a recent Harris Survey of Club alumni, 57 percent said the Club saved their lives. National headquarters are located in Atlanta.

About Hometown Hospitality: 
The “Hometown Hospitality Caring For Our Communities” program of Benchmark Hospitality advances the philanthropic endeavors of the leading hotel management company through employee volunteer programs, in-kind donations and community outreach activities. 

About Benchmark: 
Benchmark Hospitality International is a leader in the management and marketing of resorts, conference centers, hotels, and Personal Luxury Hotels™.  The independent company, launched in 1980, is a founding member of the International Association of Conference Centers.  Benchmark Hospitality is a worldwide organization operating properties in major metropolitan and resort destinations.  Benchmark's international headquarters is located in The Woodlands, Texas, near Houston.  The company’s northeast regional office is in New Jersey, with international offices in Tokyo, Japan, and Santiago, Chile. For the location of Benchmark’s properties and additional information, visit www.benchmarkhospitality.com.