Lexington Collection Vows to Keep Hope Alive for World's Neediest Children
CLEVELAND, OHIO (January 23, 2008) -- The Lexington Collection of fine hotels, plaza hotels, and resorts worldwide is pleased to announce it has joined forces with Plan USA, one of the oldest and largest children's charities in the world, in an effort to Keep Hope Alive for the world's neediest children. The Lexington Collection will serve as the Premier Corporate Sponsor for Plan USA.
Established in 1937, Plan USA gives people and communities in the 49 poorest countries tools to help them invoke real change-improving life today and offering children a chance for a better tomorrow. Plan's projects are primarily funded through donations and its child sponsorship program.
The Lexington-Plan USA partnership will be incorporated at the property level with hotels actively engaging in the Lexington Dollar A Day program, in which guests can elect to add a dollar a day for each night of their stay to their bill. In turn, 100% of that donation will be given to Plan USA.
The proceeds from the Lexington Dollar A Day program will be applied initially toward the construction of a primary school in San Juan, Dominican Republic where hurricanes have destroyed much of the area. When this goal has been met, funds will be applied to school construction and other projects in many countries where Plan USA works. According to Steve Belmonte, Lexington's CEO & President, the program has the potential to raise over $1 million dollars this year.
"There wasn't any doubt that we wanted The Lexington Collection as our Premier Corporate Partner," said Ahuma Adodoadji, Plan USA's President. "Mr. Belmonte and the entire Lexington family have embraced our cause with open arms and immediately stepped up to the plate to design a program that will benefit children in the direst situations. We're excited about this partnership."
Throughout 2008, Plan USA will air PSAs (Public Service Announcements) and hour-long infomercials featuring Belmonte as its official spokesman. In efforts to convey on film the dire ad immediate plight of the world's neediest children, Belmonte will travel with a film crew to remote regions of the globe where Plan operates.
Representing the Lexington brand and owners, Belmonte's television commercials have the potential to reach 100 million consumers nationwide to spread the message of the partnership and its worthy cause. Plan USA will run the Lexington Collection spots during prime time and highly-rated sports programs on national and cable networks.
According to Belmonte, The Lexington Collection chose Plan USA to help children and families in the poorest countries where there are no public safety nets, few assistance programs, no unemployment benefits and little hope to make things better.
"It has always been my personal belief that no child should live without hope," Belmonte stated. "Not only is it our civic duty to give to those who need our help most, but we all stand to do better in the long run if everyone has a chance to prosper. We at the Lexington Collection are making a concerted push to make sure we give children a fighting chance in this world."
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About The Lexington Collection:
The Lexington Collection of fine hotels, plaza hotels, and resort worldwide, premiered to the public in 2006 and has been charting a new course in the hospitality industry since then. The Lexington brand is available to three and four star hotels and provides owners with short-term contracts, a low monthly fee, a choice in their amenities and services, all part of Lexington's freestyle lodging model.
As The Lexington Collection- an innovative and affordable alternative to franchising - continues to make a major impact in the industry, additional major announcements on strategic and operational developments will be made.
For more information on The Lexington Collection, visit www.LexingtonCollection.com or contact Steve Belmonte at 877-LEX-7171.
About Plan USA:
Since 1937, Plan USA has strived to give people and communities in the 49 poorest countries in the world tools to help them effect real change - improving life today and offering children a chance for a better tomorrow. Plan USA has designed programs to life whole communities out of poverty by providing safe drinking water and building health care and education centers.
For more information on Plan USA, visit www.PlanUSA.org or contact Janet Moretti at 800-556-7918.
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