Andaz San Diego Associates Give Back to Local Charities as Part of Volunteer Initiative

Ronald McDonald House, Mama's Kitchen and Salvation Army Among Beneficiaries

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. July 31, 2012

SAN DIEGO - July 31, 2012 - In support of Hyatt Thrive, Hyatt's global corporate responsibility platform, Andaz San Diego is giving back to the community by engaging in volunteer days with charities throughout San Diego.

Most recently, Andaz San Diego's Chef de Cuisine Reese Hay challenged the hotel's Human Resources department to partner with charities that are personally meaningful to individual employees. Chef Reese selected Ronald McDonald House Charities® of San Diego and teamed up with his associates to host a three-week “Welcome Kit” drive on behalf of the organization, which provides a home away from home for families with a hospitalized child being treated for a serious, often life-threatening illness or injury at a local hospital. The drive included the collection of toiletries, board games, books, puzzles and crayons to give to families upon arrival in case they didn't have time to pack.

Chef Reese and the Andaz team will also be hosting a dinner for families staying at the Ronald McDonald House on Tuesday, July 31. The food will be prepared at the hotel and served on site to an estimated 100 to 150 families.

Reese has personal ties to the Ronald McDonald House. His younger cousin Eric was diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma as a child and stayed with his mother, a single working mom of three, at the Ronald McDonald House while undergoing treatment. Reese and his family would visit them there regularly.

“It was so much fun hanging out with Eric and the other children at the Ronald McDonald House,” Reese recalled. “We'd play video games, tell stories and laugh. It was a great distraction for the kids and their families and really made their lives a little better, even if it was only for a day. It made me appreciate what I have a lot more and I am forever grateful for that.”

On average, Andaz San Diego associates have spent dozens of hours of their personal time over the past several months working on community projects throughout the region, including:

• River, beach and park clean ups for I Love a Clean San Diego
• Preparing breakfast for the Salvation Army
• Cycling in support of BIKE MS

The hotel has also announced plans to host a job shadow program in partnership with Washington Elementary School in San Diego's Little Italy neighborhood.

Andaz San Diego's charitable initiatives are a key tenet of Hyatt Thrive and part of Hyatt's Global Volunteer Initiative, which is a brand-wide effort that encourages Hyatt associates to improve the many communities around the world that they call home.

“We are dedicated to the San Diego community and our associates are honored to do their part to give back to our neighbors in need,” said Rusty Middleton general manager of Andaz San Diego. “This is a natural extension of Hyatt's mission, which is to provide authentic hospitality by making a difference in the lives of people we come in contact with every day.”

About Andaz San Diego
Andaz San Diego is an urban escape known for friendly and uncomplicated service, sophisticated design and unpretentious style. Located in the heart of the Gaslamp Quarter, the cornerstone of the property is a 159 room hotel with 17 suites, each with custom fixtures and amenities, flat panel televisions and generously sized glass-enclosed bathrooms. Guests can enjoy complimentary welcome beverages while being checked in via iPads® as well as complimentary amenities such as wireless Internet, local phone calls, and a mini-bar with non-alcoholic beverages and snacks. A center of nightlife, Andaz San Diego offers guests the Ivy Entertainment experience including the Ivy Nightclub, Ivy Wine Bar and Ivy Rooftop, a sultry rooftop bar and lounge with stunning skyline views, pool and private cabanas. Additional amenities include 10,000 square feet of flexible meeting and function space. For more information about Andaz San Diego, visit www.andazsandiego.com or call 619-849-1234.