Today, a new, first-of-its-kind library opened in the Dallas suburb of Irving, Texas as the result of a partnership between Homewood Suites by Hilton and early childhood education advocacy group The Books for Kids Foundation. The new library, built in the Education Station Center, will ensure that all at-risk preschoolers served by the school will have access to brand new books, reading programs and other educational tools that serve as key building blocks for early literacy skills.
“Through our partnership with Books for Kids, in less than a year, we’ve opened three new reading libraries and helped put a national spotlight on the importance of childhood literacy,” said Carla Raynor, vice president of marketing, Homewood Suites by Hilton. “The Homewood Suites family is proud to be making a difference in the Irving community and in communities across the country by helping provide much-needed resources to at-risk children and their families.”
Books for Kids efforts include taking over unused rooms in existing childcare centers in low income neighborhoods and transforming them into a magical educational environment filled with thousands of books and fun opportunities for learning.
The Homewood Suites brand team has been working closely with the Center and Books for Kids in the complete renovation of the space, which previously served as an unused classroom. Included in the refurbishment of the room is the complete transformation of the space with child-like duck benches, reading forts, rainbows, and Leap Frog learning centers, resulting in a truly magical educational environment. Homewood Suites team members have been working all weekend to assemble bookshelves, stock more than 600 new books, and put the finishing touches on the new library.
Carla Raynor was joined by Executive Director of Books for Kids, Shawna Doster; and Executive Director of the Education Station Center, Tricia Jackson for the ribbon-cutting ceremony.
The Irving opening is the third in a series of Books for Kids libraries that Homewood Suites will open over the next several years, as the Memphis-based extended stay hotel brand helps the organization expand nationally. The first libraries opened in Memphis, Tenn. and Washington, D.C., in July and September 2010, respectively.
The more than 300 North American hotels in the Homewood Suites brand participate in literacy events in their communities, including book readings and fundraisers, utilizing the brand’s Lewis the Duck book series, which helps explain travel to young children. The series now includes three installments: Lewis the Duck and His Long Trip , Lewis the Duck Goes to Canada and Lewis the Duck Goes to Mexico. Homewood is currently the only hotel brand with an original children’s book series.
Irving’s Mayor Pro Tem Rose Cannady, Homewood Suites' VP-Global Marketing Carla Raynor and Books for Kids Executive Director Shawna Doster get their first look of the newest reading library in Irving, Texas. The library was made possible through an ongoing partnership with Homewood Suites and the Books for Kids Foundation. The library includes interactive learning stations, puppets and more than 600 new books.
Lewis the Duck, the brand mascot for Homewood Suites by Hilton, is on proud display in the brand’s new reading library in Irving, Texas. The library was made possible through an ongoing partnership with Homewood Suites and the Books for Kids Foundation. The library includes interactive learning stations, puppets and more than 600 new books.
About Books for Kids
To date, Books for Kids has opened 69 libraries in the New York Tri-State area stocking approximately 25,000 books and giving away another 5 million. The organization’s mission is to provide the resources preschool-aged children and their families need to build a solid foundation for learning and competing academically with their peers. For more information visit www.booksforkids.org
About Homewood Suites by Hilton
Launched in 1989, the Homewood Suites by Hilton brand today has more than 300 hotels open with approximately 80 in the development pipeline. Beyond its spacious suites and home-like amenities, additional guest features include an on-site Suite Shop convenience store, complimentary grocery shopping services*, a complete business center, and laundry services at most locations. For more information, please visit www.homewoodsuites.com.
About Hilton Worldwide
Hilton Worldwide is the leading global hospitality company, spanning the lodging sector from luxurious full-service hotels and resorts to extended-stay suites and mid-priced hotels. For 92 years, Hilton Worldwide has been offering business and leisure travelers the finest in accommodations, service, amenities and value. The company is dedicated to continuing its tradition of providing exceptional guest experiences across its global brands. Its brands are comprised of more than 3,750 hotels and 615,000 rooms in 84 countries and include Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts, Conrad Hotels & Resorts, Hilton Hotels & Resorts, DoubleTree by Hilton, Embassy Suites Hotels, Hilton Garden Inn, Hampton Hotels, Homewood Suites by Hilton, Home2 Suites by Hilton and Hilton Grand Vacations. The company also manages the world-class guest reward program Hilton HHonors®. For more information about the company, visit www.hiltonworldwide.com.
