Radio's Travel Expert Stephanie Abrams Assists Crowne Plaza Pittsfield-Berkshires in Launching Western Massachusetts Hurricane Katrina Relief Benefit Program

BOSTON, Sept. 6, 2005 -- Western Massachusetts' leading brand hotel, The Crowne Plaza Pittsfield-Berkshires, has become the rallying point for Hurricane Katrina Relief with the launch of its ``Give for the Gulf Relief Benefit'', to be held in the hotel's Grand Ballroom on Saturday, September 10th, beginning at 7pm, according to Chuck Brush, the Crowne Plaza's General Manager. With a goal of reaching significant contribution levels for the Gulf hurricane victims, the hotel's management team reached out to community leaders including those from Greylock Federal Credit Union, American Red Cross, and nationally syndicated radio show travel expert, Stephanie Abrams, a Berkshire County resident; to help get the word out and to participate in the September 10th event. ``The hotel's owners, management team and staff are inviting the county's residents and all caring parties to share the Crowne Plaza Pittsfield-Berkshires' hospitality in a memorable evening of giving, caring and sharing,'' Brush explains.

``We're planning to capture the feeling of an old-fashioned New England barn-raising where neighbors came together in a unified effort to help families in need of assistance. Typically, the setting was marked by teamwork focused on a common unselfish goal in an atmosphere that made everyone feel good about their opportunity to participate,'' Brush states. ``We have wonderfully talented people donating their time to perform, refreshments will be provided, and there will be an auction of valuable merchandise including travel awards to help us reach significant contribution levels,'' Brush notes.

Brush contacted Stephanie Abrams to spread word of the event through her weekly nationally syndicated radio show and her frequent guest appearances on talk shows in her role as ``Travel Expert.'' Known for her philanthropic role as ``The Travel Fairy Godmother,'' Brush knew Abrams would participate and provide travel awards. Abrams notes, ``Who could say no to such a compelling cause? We are all emotionally woven into the horrible recent events, feeling the impact and human misery and have an obligation to help do as much as we can. Chuck Brush knew he could count on my help. I am privileged to participate in this event,'' Abrams states.

Putting the hotel's mission of taking care of people as if they were family members to work on a larger scale, beyond the realm of the 179-room property in the heart of Berkshire County, is a natural extension of the Crowne Plaza Pittsfield-Berkshire's commitment as a leader in the hospitality industry, Brush explains. ``Our fellow Americans are suffering from unimaginable hardships inflicted on them by conditions created by Katrina, which we have the capacity to help diminish. And that's exactly what we are going to do,'' Brush states with conviction. ``Now it's time to dig in on a person-to-person level,'' Brush concludes.

For more information and to donate merchandise for the event's auction, contact Eileen Goldman, Crowne Plaza Pittsfield-Berkshire's Director of Sales at 413-553-2180.