Courtyard San Diego Downtown Launches Month-Long Campaign to Benefit Autism Speaks

SAN DIEGO, CA--(Marketwired - Apr 20, 2016) -  At the Courtyard San Diego Downtown, visitors will encounter chic contemporary design, architecture dating back to the 1920s and, during the month of April, an inspired and inspiring commitment to fighting autism.

As the fastest growing serious developmental disability in the country, autism spectrum disorder (ASD) affects as many as 1 in 68 children in the country. Such staggering statistics represent a tenfold increase over the past 40 years and explain the need for immediate and effective treatments.

That's where this hotel near the Gaslamp Quarter enters the picture. On April 2, 2016, it launched a month-long campaign to raise awareness and funds for Autism Speaks. This is the second year in a row the downtown San Diego property has participated, and its efforts have already garnered more than $1,300 for the cause.

Guests and associates alike have joined forces to combat ASD in creative ways, from raffles and contests to the sale of privileges. Visitors, for example, can pay $1 per guess as to how many candies are in the jar behind the front desk. Or associates can wear blue any day in April for just $1 per day.

Other activities include:

• Competition to win a two-night stay in Las Vegas: The associate to collect the most donations wins!
• Blue drink specials with proceeds benefitting Autism Speaks
• $1 and $5 donations earn blue lollipops and bracelets, respectively
• Bake sale and garage sale

Pie-A-Manager will also make a highly-anticipated return from last year's fundraising efforts. And further distinguishing the property among downtown San Diego hotels is one associate's determination to wear his participation loud and proud. If the hotel earns the most donations in its region, hotel associate Marco will dye his hair blue.

With the current annual cost of ASD estimated at around $137 billion per year in the U.S., the need for fundraisers like these has never been greater. The enthusiasm with which both staff and guests have embraced the cause speaks to the hope of the future.

About the Courtyard San Diego Downtown
Discover a new Courtyard experience at the Courtyard San Diego Downtown! Built within a 1920s-era bank building, the hotel features sophisticated design and practical amenities that business and leisure travelers alike can appreciate. THE LOBBY, the hotel's striking public space and restaurant, sets the tone for the rest of the property where guests will enjoy 24-hour business and fitness centers, an on-site Starbucks and guest rooms outfitted with free Wi-Fi, kitchenettes, luxury bedding and 37-inch, flat-screen televisions. While there's plenty to indulge in on property, the allure of San Diego awaits just beyond the front doors. Located near the San Diego Zoo and Balboa Park, the hotel's address offers enviable access to San Diego's most iconic attractions for a stay that provides an unparalleled taste of this oceanfront city.