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Conrad Hilton Foundation Grants $1 Million to CARE; Support for AIDS Orphans in Zambia

Conrad Hilton Foundation Grants $1 Million to CARE; Support for AIDS Orphans in Zambia

Published 12-01-06

Submitted by Conrad N. Hilton Foundation

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 1, 2006--On World AIDS Day, the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation announced a grant of $1 million to CARE for its work supporting orphans and vulnerable children affected by HIV/AIDS in Zambia.

Steven M. Hilton, president and CEO of the Hilton Foundation, noted that early childhood development is a priority area for the Hilton Foundation and said, "In the spirit of our foundation's mission to alleviate human suffering and help little children, I can think of no more deserving cause than helping poor and destitute children living in Africa who have been orphaned by the AIDS pandemic."

Hilton said that CARE has developed an innovative program in Zambia to address the special needs of children aged 2-6 along with their caregivers.

"Its holistic approach includes nutrition, health, cognitive development and psychosocial support, and this grant will benefit 3,500 children and their caregivers. Addressing these basic needs at an early age will give these children a healthy start and more hopeful future," Hilton said.

Dr. Helene Gayle, president and CEO of CARE, acknowledged the grant, and said: "One of the most devastating aspects of AIDS is the number of orphans and vulnerable children the disease leaves in its wake. CARE is grateful to the Hilton Foundation for this generous contribution that will allow us to increase our investment in programs for children whose lives would otherwise remain tenuous. With this funding, we will be able to provide a foundation for 3,500 children in their formative years -- ages 2 to 6 -- that will help them survive, thrive, and escape what could have been a hopeless future."

Zambia is one of the countries hardest hit by the AIDS pandemic. UNAIDS estimates there are more than 700,000 orphans and vulnerable children as a result, with about 50 percent under nine years of age. CARE's two-year initiative aims to build the capacity of community schools, assisting 70 schools and training 210 volunteer teachers and 910 parent committee members in areas most affected by HIV/AIDS and poverty.

Based in Los Angeles, the Hilton Foundation was created in 1944 by the late hotel entrepreneur and business leader, Conrad N. Hilton, who left his fortune to the foundation with instructions to help the most disadvantaged and vulnerable throughout the world without regard to religion, ethnicity or geography. Along with its related entities, the foundation has total assets of approximately $2.6 billion and, since its inception, has provided more than $450 million for charitable projects throughout the United States and the world. More than 50 percent of its grants support international projects in keeping with the wishes of Conrad Hilton who noted that the Hilton fortune was built internationally as well as domestically. The foundation is an independent non-profit organization and is not part of the Hilton Hotels Corporation.

Copyright Business Wire 2006

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Conrad N. Hilton Foundation

Conrad N. Hilton Foundation

The Conrad N. Hilton Foundation has assets of over $2.5 billion and was started by the late hotel pioneer. It funds both domestic and international humanitarian efforts and awards the annual $1.5 million Hilton Humanitarian Prize.

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