Community Events
Pillar Hotels and Resorts is pleased to announce our partnership with Special Olympics. When the name Pillar was chosen, we decided to focus on four "pillars" of strength: Culture, Communication, Consistency and Community. The Pillar team strives to exhibit these attributes on a daily basis. In an effort to honor the community portion of our Pillars of strength, Pillar has created a community outreach committee. After much deliberation and discussion of many different organizations with which we might partner, the community outreach committee decided the organization Special Olympics was a terrific fit because it offered so many different avenues to be of assistance.April 28, 2012 - 2012 Special Olympics' Spring Games: Pillar wins Community Leader Award
CEO of Pillar Hotels & Resorts, Chris Russell, accepting the “2012 Community Leader/Outreach of the Year Award” at the Special Olympics' Spring Games Opening Ceremony.The greater Dallas area Special Olympics' Spring Games were held at Cedar Hill High School April 27-28, 2012. The events began Friday evening with nearly 1,000 athletes competing. Many Pillar employees and their families volunteered to support athletes in tennis and track and field on Saturday.
Opening Ceremonies were held on Saturday morning prior to the start of competition where Pillar Hotels & Resorts won the 2012 Community Leader/Outreach of the Year Award. "Pillar is dedicated to serving and volunteering at Special Olympics Texas," said CEO Chris Russell. "It gives our employees and their families a chance to be actively involved, meet the athletes they support, and not be restricted to only donate monetarily. We want to be physically invested and connected with our community."
Many thanks to the following participants: Jason Sicore, Angie Barrera, Chris Duke, Alma Hamilton, Debbie Hardaway, Giselle and Lance Kuykendall, LeCreshia Phillips, Mona Rigdon, Chris and Carlie Russell, TJ Barron & family, Randal Timms & family.
Summer Games will be held May 25-27 at UT Arlington.
If you are interested in volunteering for Special Olympics Texas, please take a moment to review the information on their website. Contact information is also listed below.
512.835.9873 or 800.876.JOIN (5646)
info@sotx.org
April 1, 2012 - Pillar Runs the Distance for Special Olympics 5kDallas, TX – Twenty-seven Pillar employees and employee family members, eighteen runners and nine volunteers, came together to show their support for the 1st Annual Dallas Special Olympics Be a Fan 5k & Fun Run.
The event took place at Katy Trail Park, and raised money for the local Dallas Special Olympics Chapter. All funds raised go to supporting local area athletes.
Pillar's volunteer services ranged from helping at the registration desk, passing out water, and cheering for the runners.
Pillar is proud to be a Silver Medal Corporate Sponsor of the Special Olympics.Many Thanks to the following participants: LeCreshia Phillips; Courtney Wright; Sharon Ames; Aixsa Tuya; Christina Tuya; Helen Regalado; Denise Clark; Adam Tripp; Cleopatra Benjamin; David Altshuler; Chris Duke; Joey Hutchinson; Michele Hutchinson; Julia Hutchinson; Elysia Hutchinson; Lance Kobza; Ashley Kobza; Chris Brett; Stephanie Lee; Jolynda Ward; Joanne Schierling; Jay Reed & Family; Tony Battelle & Family
Team Brrrrrridal Party from left: Sasha Smith (Friend) Jessica Thoron (Friend) Valerie Cowen (GM Fairfield Inn) Megan McCarthy (GSA Fairfield Inn) and Amelia Juilfs (GSA Fairfield Inn)Saturday, March 3, 2012 was a day to remember for the Special Olympics and the Fairfield Inn by Marriott in Springfield, IL. Supporters across the country participated in the Polar Plunge 2012 to benefit over 10,000 athletes and raised $1.12 million total for the charity.
General Manager of the Fairfield Inn, Valerie Cowen, along with her team, "The Brrrridal Party", jumped into Lake Springfield in full wedding attire. Despite the 40 degree Fahrenheit water temperatures, the team was determined to benefit this great cause. They proudly raised $570 for their local Springfield, IL Special Olympics chapter. An additional 250 participants were inspired by the event, and jumped into the lake, as well.
The Special Olympics hosts many year-round athletic events for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. These athletes are able to participate in the competitions thanks to the generosity of the 20,000 network volunteers. With this year marking the best in a 20-year history, their goal to "open hearts and change minds about people with intellectual disabilities" has been achieved.
Related Articles
Read the State Journal-Register's coverage of the 2012 Polar Plunge
Read more about Special Olympics and Polar Plunge
September 24, 2011 - Special Olympics Softball/Bocce Competition
Our first collaboration with Special Olympics on September 24, 2011 at the Softball/Bocce competition was a complete success. Our volunteers assisted with a variety of tasks from cooking hot dogs to keeping score. Click here to see our team in action and stay tuned for more exciting events.
