Representatives from Marriott hotels throughout the Washington, DC, area, along with co-workers, customers friends and family, joined forces last week to participate in a Torch Relay to benefit Children’s Miracle Network. This walk, from Marriott International’s corporate headquarters in Bethesda, to the Marriott Bethesda North Hotel & Conference Center, drew more than 350 participants--more than triple the number from last year. All proceeds went to Washington’s Children’s National Medical Center, one of the 170 Children’s Miracle Network hospitals that treat 17 million children each year.

The torch began its journey in Orlando, Florida, on October 17. Since then, it has been making its way north with relays taking place throughout Florida, Georgia, North and South Carolina, Virginia and Maryland. From Bethesda, the torch will make its way to Columbus and destinations further west.

Children’s Miracle Network hospitals treat 98 percent of all children needing heart or lung transplants and 88 percent of all children with cancer. These hospitals devote 60 percent of their services to children under age six and 25 percent to newborns.

“Over the past quarter century, we have contributed more than $66 million to this great organization…more than $7 million last year alone,” said Robert M. Allen, chair of Marriott Greater Washington, DC Business Council and general manager of Greenbelt Marriott. “Although the final count is not in, with three times the number of participants this year, as compared to last, we are confident that we have also tripled our donations. Children’s Miracle Network hospitals provide $2.5 billion in uncompensated care each year. They count on people like us to raise the contributions they need to buy equipment, fund research and provide invaluable services and TLC for so many kids.”

Allen called this event an embrace from the local area. The post-walk event was emceed by Kathleen Mathews, well-known media personality and Marriott executive vice president, global communications and government affairs. She was joined on stage by the “miracle family,” which included Tess & Alex Theodorakos, local children who shared their story of how their lives were changed thanks to the children‘s hospital here in Washington. Miss DC Jen Corey kicked off the event by singing the national anthem. In addition, a dozen executive chefs from Washington area Marriott hotels cooked up samplings of new organic cuisine from hotel and banquet menus.

“We are very fortunate to have valuable partners like Marriott on our side. Their generous support helps provide world-class care to all of the children in our community who need it,” said Patricia Jasper-Zellner, assistant director, Children’s Miracle Network at Children’s National Medical Center.

Donations to Children’s Miracle Network are still being accepted at www.torch-relay.org.

About the Greater Washington, DC Marriott Hotels Business Council

Marriott has a longstanding commitment to Children’s Miracle Network hospitals throughout North America. The purpose of the Marriott Business Council is to identify new ideas for giving back to the community. The Council is made up of general managers from the Marriott and Ritz-Carlton hotels in Greater Washington, DC, metropolitan area. In addition to supporting CMN, Marriott focuses on five global initiatives that give more people the opportunity for a better quality of life: the well-being of children, poverty alleviation, the environment, community workforce development, and diversity and inclusion.

Photos from this event at http://www.flickr.com/groups/2009torchrelay/