HONOLULU, July 2, 2014 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Guests who “Check in for Babies” at Starwood Hotels & Resorts in Hawaii (The Royal Hawaiian, a Luxury Collection Resort, Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort & Spa, Sheraton Waikiki and Sheraton Maui) can donate $1.00 to the March of Dimes for each night of their stay, and help fund lifesaving programs for Hawaii’s moms and babies.

One of the programs that will benefit from the campaign is March of Dimes NICU Family Support® at Kapiolani Medical Center for Women and Children. This program provides information, support, and comfort each year to more than 500 families whose babies are being treated in the newborn intensive care unit (NICU).  Other programs around Hawaii that will benefit include:

• CenteringPregnancy^® at Kokua Kalihi Valley Comprehensive Family Services (Oahu), and at Waimea Women’s Center at North Hawaii Community Hospital (Hawaii Island), an innovative, culturally-competent model of group prenatal care for Asian and Pacific Island women.
• BabySAFE Program at Malama Family Recovery Center (Maui), providing outreach, group prenatal education sessions, and referral to substance abuse treatment services to pregnant women who use alcohol or other drugs.
• Hua O Lanai at Lanai Community Health Center (Lanai), improving care for women and babies by eliminating barriers and improving access.

Starwood will be launching a free benefit for the March of Dimes at a special kick-off event on Sunday, July 6 at The Royal Hawaiian resort’s Monarch Room located in the Historic Wing  featuring a concert by the award-winning Citrus College Blue NoteSwing Orchestra, with a special guest appearance from local legend Jimmy Borges. This campaign was the brainchild of Vic Kimura, senior vice president of Kyo-ya Management, Co. 

“We are truly fortunate to have Starwood Hotels’ caring ‘ohana committed to improving the lives of Hawaii’s moms and keiki through their deep commitment, tireless support and boundless generosity. Mahalo nui loa to the ‘Stars’ of Starwood for making Hawaii a better place!” says John Henry Felix, president and CEO of HMAA and former chairman of the national March of Dimes Board of Trustees.

About Starwood Hotels & Resorts in Hawaii

Starwood Hotels & Resorts in Waikiki, comprised of the Sheraton Waikiki, Sheraton Princess Kaiulani, The Royal Hawaiian, a Luxury Collection Resort, and Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort & Spa, is owned by Kyo-ya Hotels & Resorts, LP and managed by Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.  Between the four properties, Starwood Hotels & Resorts in Waikiki offers 4,110 rooms, ranging from comfortable affordability to the ultimate in suite luxury.  In addition, the properties offer industry-leading and critically-acclaimed food and beverage offerings and one-of-a-kind resort amenities.  Kyo-ya Hotels & Resorts, LP is one of Hawaii’s largest employers, with nearly 3,000 hotel associates in its workforce.   

Kyo-ya Hotels & Resorts LP owns the Sheraton Waikiki, Sheraton Princess Kaiulani, The Royal Hawaiian, a Luxury Collection Resort, the Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort & Spa, and the Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa.   Kyo-ya Hotels & Resorts LP is one of Hawaii’s largest employers, with nearly 3,000 hotel associates in its workforce.  The hotels are a part of the 11-hotel group of Starwood Hotels & Resorts-managed properties in Hawaii.

About the March of Dimes

The March of Dimes is the leading nonprofit organization for pregnancy and baby health, and works to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality. For the latest resources and health information, visit our websites marchofdimes.org and nacersano.org. Find us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.

SOURCE March of Dimes