Marriott UMUC Inn and Conference Center Provides Holiday Cheer to Children

Many children in the metropolitan area will be a little happier this year thanks to a specially planned Breakfast with Santa, which includes photos with the Jolly Ole’ Elf himself, movies and arts and crafts. This holiday event will be held at The Marriott Inn & Conference Center, University of Maryland University College on Saturday, December 12, from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. The cost, $4 for kids and $8 for adults, are deeply discounted to allow wide participation, and all proceeds go to the Children’s Miracle Network (CMN).

The Children’s National Medical Center in Washington, DC, is the local CMN hospital. CMN hospitals across the nation 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, providing $2.5 billion in uncompensated care each year. As a corporation, Marriott International has contributed more than $66 million to CMN.

"This is our second year offering this event to our associates and the community,” explains Michael McCarthy, general manager of the UMUC Inn and Conference Center. "The last time we hosted a couple of hundred guests, so we are hoping to see even more this year. Many of our suppliers have also stepped up to help us in this effort.”

The UMUC Inn is donating all the labor and space. Coastal Sunbelt Produce Company, Bakery de France, US Food Service and Metropolitan Meat, Seafood and Poultry Company will all be contributing food to the breakfast. Guests will have a variety of fare from which to choose, including scrambled eggs, hash browns, sausage and bacon, mini pancakes, French toast sticks, fruit displays, baked goods, cereal selections and more.

"We have a long corporate relationship with the Children’s Miracle Network,” says Carina Mack-Caldwell, human resources generalist at the UMUC Inn. "A team of our employees developed this idea as a way to provide some fun for kids and their families during the holidays, while at the same time, giving to our local children’s hospital. It’s a win-win because the families have a great time for a fraction of the real cost and CMN gets funding. Those of us who plan this event also get great satisfaction from offering this to our associates and the community.”

The UMUC Inn is located at 3501 University Blvd., E., in Hyattsville.

The University of Maryland University College (UMUC) Inn and Conference Center by Marriott is the first hotel in the country to acquire "Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design” (LEED) certification. The Marriott Inn & Conference Center, University of Maryland University College is committed to reducing its environmental impact through a variety of programs whose scope and breadth far exceed those at other hotels in the region. This commitment to the environment is delivered while providing our guests with signature Marriott service and convenience.