BEVERLY HILLS - The official voting age may be 18 in America, but this fall, grown-ups won't be the only ones stepping into booths for a national election. In celebration of the upcoming electoral process, Doubletree® Hotels announced it has signed an industry-exclusive agreement with Kids Voting USA®, to teach elementary school children about the importance of voting, as part of the brand's award-winning Teaching Kids to CARE™ community outreach program.

Now in its third year, Teaching Kids to CARE is a community-based outreach initiative that connects Doubletree hotels with local elementary schools and youth groups to educate children about making conscious decisions and caring for their community. Doubletree and Kids Voting USA are working together this fall to provide grade school teachers with an interactive, educator-approved curriculum, entitled "My Vote Makes A Difference," that they can share with their students.

Approximately 10,000 children in grades 1-5 are expected to participate in a "Great Community Cookie Election" in late October, where they will vote for one national "candidate." The selections on the ballot won't include this year's presidential nominees. Instead, the students will vote to recognize a deserving community or service organization -- such as firefighters, the military, homeless shelters or doctors/nurses - that they feel should be rewarded with a caring gesture.

The initiative will culminate in mid-November, when more than 100 local schools will each have the opportunity to present 2,004 Doubletree chocolate chip cookies to the nation's winning candidate in their own hometown. As a result, more than 250,000 cookies will be distributed nationally as part of this voting-focused Teaching Kids to CARE initiative.

"Voting is such a privilege for Americans, and it's never too early to teach our youth the importance of caring for our country by casting a vote," said Dave Horton, senior vice president, brand management for Doubletree Hotels. "We are certainly proud of the 20,000 grade school students that cast their chocolate chip cookie ballots each fall during the past two years to recognize groups in their individual communities. However we felt that it was important this year to extend the learning experience by developing our own unique, non-partisan national election. With help from Kids Voting USA, Doubletree volunteers and elementary schools across the nation, we look forward to providing kids with an early education on how every vote can make a difference."

Kids Voting USA is a national nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that teaches students about the concepts of citizenship, civic responsibility, democracy and the importance of political participation.

"We're thrilled to work with the Doubletree Teaching Kids to CARE program," said Christopher E. Heller, president and CEO, Kids Voting USA. "Through this unique educational initiative with Doubletree, we're extending our outreach into dozens of communities, reaching thousands more kids with an important message about the value of the vote."

For more information about the Doubletree Teaching Kids to CARE program and updates on this fall election education initiative, visit the program's website at www.doubletree.com/teachingkidstocare.

About Kids Voting USA
The Kids Voting USA program combines innovative classroom activities with an authentic voting experience to help students gain knowledge, skills and confidence to be active citizens. What makes the program truly unique is that students have the opportunity to cast a Kids Voting ballot on Election Day, voting on the same candidates and issues as the adults.

For more information, visit www.kidsvotingusa.com

About Doubletree Hotels
With more than 160 locations in the U.S., Canada and Latin America, Doubletree is the full-service hotel brand that provides all the amenities and services upscale travelers might expect, in a warm and welcoming environment. Other upscale hotels can sometimes feel a little too formal, impersonal, and big. Doubletree speaks to travelers who want all the perks of a full-service hotel in a more informal and relaxed setting. Everything we do - such as the way we have welcomed millions of delighted hotel guests with our warm, signature chocolate chip cookies at check-in - is inspired by a commitment to our CARE culture.

To make reservations at any Doubletree hotel, travelers can visit our website at www.doubletree.com, contact their preferred travel professional or call 1-800-222-TREE in the U.S. and Canada.

Hilton Hotels Corporation

Hilton Hotels Corporation

With nearly 500 hotels on six continents, Hilton Hotels continues to be an innovative leader in the full-service hospitality segment and the most recognized name in the industry. Hilton celebrates the accomplishment, enlightenment, renewal and celebration that travel enables. This commitment to personal guest achievement infuses all decisions about products, programs and amenities, and is underscored by the belief that travel can and should be transformative. Each unique Hilton Hotel was designed to reflect the sense of place of its location; each team member chosen to reflect the local culture and community. For more information, please visit www.hilton.com.

More from Hilton Hotels Corporation