News Releases

CHICAGO (October 8, 2010) – Hyatt Hotels & Resorts and Make-A-Wish Foundation^® of Illinois, an organization that grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions, announced today that Team Make-A-Wish, a group of marathon runners that supports the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Illinois, has raised more than $83,000 to date for their participation in the Bank of America Chicago Marathon. This is the fourth year that Team Make-A-Wish has been sponsored by Stay Fit@Hyatt.

Team Stay Fit@Hyatt is a worldwide team of runners, walkers and riders participating in sporting events across the globe to further the company’s commitment to health and the community. This year, there are three Team Stay Fit@Hyatt marathoners who have raised money to cover a portion of the cost of granting a child’s wish while training for the 26.2-mile run to occur this Sunday, Oct. 10. These three Hyatt associates will run the marathon along with 123 other runners as a part of Team Make-A-Wish. Marathoners from 22 states are traveling to Chicago to run with Hyatt for Make-A-Wish.

Hyatt will host Team Make-A-Wish members, their friends and families for a pasta dinner at Hyatt Regency Chicago the evening before the race. Runners will be joined by Mark Hoplamazian, president and chief executive officer, Hyatt Hotels Corporation, and Doug Patrick, senior vice president human resources, Hyatt Hotels & Resorts, who also serves on the board of directors of Make-A-Wish Foundation of Illinois. Make-A-Wish Foundation of Illinois Chief Executive Officer Stephanie Springs and a Chicago area Make-A-Wish family will also attend.

“It is Hyatt’s spirit of community service that allows us, together with Make-A-Wish, to make a difference in the lives of so many children around the world including those here in the state of Illinois and the city of Chicago,” said Sal Mendoza, vice president of diversity and inclusion, Hyatt Hotels & Resorts. “This event is rewarding and life-changing not only for Make-A-Wish supporters who raise money to run in this marathon but also for the children who live in our area and who will have their wishes granted this year.”

For the last four years, Hyatt Hotels & Resorts has made a cash donation to Make-A-Wish International and Make-A-Wish Foundation of America by extending Hyatt’s employee room rates to Make-A-Wish staff members traveling in the U.S. and overseas, and also encourages members of Hyatt’s frequent guest program to donate their Hyatt Gold Passport® points to the organization.

The name Team Stay Fit is based on Hyatt’s StayFit@Hyatt program, a dynamic selection of in-hotel workout programs catering to fitness-conscious business and leisure travelers. Hyatt offers guests the convenience of 24/7 access to its on-site fitness centers, which are outfitted with the latest high-tech cardio and strength training equipment.

For more information on Hyatt’s diversity and inclusion efforts, visit www.hyattdiversity.com.

About Make-A-Wish Foundation® of Illinois

Celebrating 25 years of bringing hope, strength and joy to children with life-threatening medical conditions, the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Illinois is the region’s largest and most well-known wish granting organization. Since 1985, the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Illinois has granted more than 9,000 wishes to children with life-threatening medical conditions with the help of more than 1,400 dedicated volunteers and support from individuals, corporations, community groups and foundations. For more information or to find out how you can help call (312) 602-WISH or visit www.wishes.org.