FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACTS:
Steve Mullen
(804) 382-0017
steve@endgamepr.com

Group Gathering at Hilton Garden Inn to Support Families of Fallen Soldiers
National Organization Asking for Help Thanking Those Who Have Sacrificed

Richmond, VA (July 18, 2006) – Marine Comfort Quilts, a national organization with a goal of providing a memorial quilt to the family of each soldier killed during Operation Iraqi Freedom, will gather at the Hilton Garden Inn Southpark on Friday, July 21, and they’re asking the public for help.

The group will use meeting space donated by Shamin Hotels, the owner of the facility, to piece together quilts and prepare them to be sewn. Marine Comfort Quilts has produced nearly 2,000 quilts since being founded about three years ago. Volunteers around the country stitch quilt squares used in the final products. Some of the squares feature patterns and symbols, while others are left blank so that members of the public can write messages to the families who will receive them.

“We have a lot of squares available for people to write a note of thanks or comfort to the quilt recipient,” said B.J. Harding, a local Marine Comfort Quilts volunteer. “We’re asking people to join us at the hotel to view the quilts, sign a square, and even lend a hand in the assembly process.”

Harding said it’s free to participate. Anyone wishing to join in the effort can simply go to the Hilton Garden Inn at 800 Southpark Boulevard in Colonial Heights between 10am and 7pm on July 21.

“Our hotel is just a few miles from Fort Lee, which means many of our guests, neighbors and employees have military connections,” said Steve Prial, General Manager of the Hilton Garden Inn Southpark. “This has given us an understanding of the sacrifice made by members of the armed forces and their families, and we’re very happy to assist with this worthy cause.”

Anyone who wants to help but is unable to visit the Hilton Garden Inn can donate via the group’s website, www.marinecomfortquilts.us.

About Shamin Hotels
Shamin Hotel Group, based in Richmond, Virginia, is a leading hotel management company with more than 20 lodging properties in the United States. Shamin Hotels is a dynamic, growth-oriented hotel company that owns, operates, and develops commercial business hotels under Hilton, Marriott, Holiday Inns, Choice and Wingate names. Shamin Hotels is deeply rooted in the hospitality industry and enjoys a number of advantages that give the company a competitive edge. Its senior management team has more than 100 years of combined experiences. The company has long-standing relationships with the industry's most highly regarded brands and has consistently been recipient of awards from its franchisers. For more information, call 804-777-9000 or visit www.shaminhotels.com.

###