CROMWELL, CT (September 23, 2015) – On July 29 Kristen Pikula, General Manager for the Courtyard Cromwell, participated in the Shatterproof Challenge by rappelling down the 22-story Hilton Hartford in Connecticut. Pikula raised more than $1,000 for a chance to rappel, adding to the more than $200,000 that was raised at the event. Shatterproof, a national organization committed to protecting children from developing addiction to alcohol or other drugs and ending the stigma and suffering of those affected by this disease, co-partnered on the Hartford challenge with Waterford Group Charitable Foundation, an extension of one of the nation’s top hotel and convention center management companies, Waterford Hotel Group.

“It was such an amazing experience and something that I and my hotel team are passionate about supporting,” commented Pikula. “I hope this will help efforts in raising awareness for the Shatterproof cause, as well as the mission of the Waterford Group Charitable Foundation to support the communities in which our associates live and work.”

A total of more than 90 individuals rappelled down the Hilton Hartford during the event, raising vital funds to prevent and treat addiction, raise awareness, and breakdown the stigma about the disease. The Shatterproof Challenge is currently supporting key addiction policy initiatives at the federal and state levels and educating Americans through events, public service announcements and digital and social media.

About Courtyard Cromwell
The 145-room Courtyard by Marriott Cromwell is located in the heart of Connecticut just minutes from downtown Hartford. Just off I-91, this location makes all destinations such as Aetna, Pratt & Whitney, Henkel or Bradley International Airport easily accessible. With a completely renovated lobby and newly designed guestrooms, the Courtyard has everything you need with functional and flexible meeting and banquet space, to large corporate friendly rooms, and also offers an upgraded business center, full service restaurant and lounge, 24-hr market, indoor pool, and fitness center.

About Shatterproof
Shatterproof is a national organization committed to protecting children from developing addiction to alcohol or other drugs and ending the stigma and suffering of those affected by this disease. In the U.S. alone, addiction to alcohol and other drugs claims more than 135,000 lives every year – 370 people every day, 15 every hour. A well-funded, large-scale movement can alter the course of this disease and save countless lives. It has worked for cancer, heart disease and diabetes. And it can work for addiction by bridging serious gaps in funding and resources. Gary Mendell, a member of the Clinton Global Initiative, founded Shatterproof to educate, empower and equip families, educators, health care providers, legislators and others to address addiction on a national scale. His son, Brian, passed away at the age of 25 after struggling with addiction for nearly ten years.

For more information about Shatterproof, please visit www.shatterproof.org, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter @ShatterproofHQ.

About Waterford Group Charitable Foundation
In 2006, Waterford Group and its affiliates formed the Waterford Group Charitable Foundation, a registered 501c3 nonprofit, which supports the communities in which their associates live and work. The Foundation’s mission is to improve the quality of life of others through monetary and gift-in-kind donations, as well as volunteering at various events. Waterford associates donate to the Foundation through voluntary payroll contributions, as well as participate in numerous fundraising events each year. This allows the Waterford Group Charitable Foundation to support many charitable causes, both on a national and regional level.

For more information about Waterford Group Charitable Foundation, please visit www.waterfordhotelgroup.com, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter @WaterfordPR.

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