News: Lansdowne Resort and Boys and Girls Clubs Announce Winners of Family Road Trip Vacation

Leesburg (Dec. 23, 2009) - The Lansdowne Resort and the Washington, DC and Loudoun County Boys and Girls Club have announced the winners of the Family Road Trip vacation giveaway, a Benchmark Hospitality Hometown Hospitality initiative providing complimentary vacations to deserving families.

Members of the local Boys and Girls Clubs were encouraged to write a letter stating why their family deserved an expense paid vacation for three days at Lansdowne Resort. The Resort received over 15 applications and the Executive Committee along with the Benchmark home office, paired the entries down to three winners. The winners were awarded their certificate on Dec. 7 during morning assembly at their schools. The winners are:

Ebony Action, a freshman at Annapolis High School
Jordon Weigand, a 7th grader at Sterling Middle School
Katherine Majewski, a 6th grader at Sterling Middle School



The trip can be planned at any time and includes three days at the resort, deluxe accommodations, breakfast, lunch and dinner all three days for the entire family, a $50 gas card, use of all recreational amenities at the resort and access to local attractions.

“Thank you to Lansdowne for making this opportunity available to our boys and girls. The children were very excited about the contest and the winners are delighted. This is much needed in these difficult times,” said Denise Andorfer, executive director of the Loudoun County Boys and Girls Club and Boys, and Girls Clubs of Greater Washington President and CEO, Pandit F. Wright agreed.

Lansdowne’s director of human resources, Stacy Pedersen added: "Here at Lansdowne we feel the word 'hometown' evokes images of safe neighborhoods, close families and friends, and kids without a care playing outside. But this is not everyone's experience.”

Pedersen continued: “This is why our partnership with our local Boys and Girls Clubs is so important -- because they step up and provide a safe environment where kids can have fun, be themselves, engage in activities that channel youthful energy into challenging pursuits. We are honored to work with our local Clubs.”

Since giving is as important as receiving, as part of the Family Road Trip Vacations Hometown Hospitality initiative, Benchmark Hospitality, which operates the Lansdowne Resort, has requested each family participate in four hours of service to their local community, side-by-side with the Benchmark Hospitality staff.

More about Boys and Girls Clubs of America
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.

More about the Lansdowne Resort
Lansdowne Resort, a AAA Four Diamond Award recipient, is the capital region’s premier, full-service resort. Managed by Benchmark Hospitality International, the resort is set on more than 500 acres of secluded countryside. Lansdowne Resort features 307 guest rooms and suites, a multi-pool aquatic complex, 45 holes of golf, a 45,000 sq.ft. conference center, golf clubhouse, six dining facilities and Spa Minérale, a full-service spa. Learn more at www.lansdowneresort.com.

More about Benchmark Hospitality International
Benchmark Hospitality International is a leader in the management and marketing of resorts, conference centers, hotels, and Personal Luxury Hotels™. The privately held 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, with regional offices in New Jersey and Connecticut. International offices are located in Tokyo, Japan, and Santiago, Chile. For the location of Benchmark’s properties and additional information, visit www.benchmarkhospitality.com.

More about the Hometown Hospitality Caring for Our Communities Program
The “Hometown Hospitality Caring for Our Communities” program of Benchmark Hospitality International advances the philanthropic endeavors of the leading hospitality management company through employee volunteer programs, in-kind donations and community outreach activities. Benchmark believes that responsible corporate citizenship recognizes the inalienable link between a healthy and vibrant community and the health and well being of a company and its employees. Hometown Hospitality Caring for Our Communities encourages and enables Benchmark employees globally to seek leading roles in the communities in which they live and work and the world community as well by supporting social, educational, and cultural programs, either through property-developed initiatives or through partnering with existing services.