The United Way coordinates with the Ventura County Homeless Services Program to select two families to spend a week at the Marriott. All meals and the hotel stay will be provided. Children will receive donated gifts from the community and families will be treated to excursions to the movies and sightseeing locations.
"Our staff treats the families like their own. They even bring the kids presents," says Mitchell Crespi, general manager of the Marriott in Camarillo. "The experience is an opportunity to change the families' circumstances. In every case over the last eight years, the families have been able to find housing a few days after leaving the hotel. Our goal is to not only provide them a wonderful Christmas to remember, but more permanent proper living accommodations."
The families will be selected by December 20 and will check into the Marriott in Camarillo on December 21. "We'll know clothing sizes, shoe sizes and 'wish list' items for the kids by December 20," says Crespi.
Anyone wanting to donate items (i.e., toys, food, clothing, movie tickets) can contact: Mitchell Crespi, Courtyard Marriott in Camarillo, 805-388-1020, mitchell.crespie@
