(Marketwired) - Wyndham Worldwide (NYSE: WYN), one of the world's largest hospitality companies, received the 2013 Innovation Award from Kids in Need of Defense (KIND) for its pro bono work in providing legal counsel to unaccompanied refugee and immigrant children in the U.S. Recognized at the 2013 KIND Gala on April 30, which was held at Jazz at Lincoln Center, this is the first time the Company received the award.

"As a family-oriented company, Wyndham Worldwide is not only committed to creating great experiences for our guests and customers, but also to improving the lives of children in the communities where we live and work," said Steve Holmes, chairman and chief executive officer, Wyndham Worldwide. "Being recognized for our work with an incredible organization like KIND reflects the hard work and dedication of our associates to doing well."

Wyndham Worldwide first started working with KIND in 2011, and since then has taken on additional cases, emerging as one of KIND's most committed corporate partners. Working hard to move the children from a life of fear, trauma and isolation to a life full of potential, the Company's pro bono team often joins forces with other corporate partners, and hosts trainings, helping the organization expand its network of qualified volunteers.

"We are extremely pleased to recognize Wyndham Worldwide for their work with KIND," said Brad Smith, KIND Board co-chair and executive vice president and general counsel, Microsoft Corporation. "Without compassionate and dedicated partners like Wyndham, who give their time, energy and resources, our work at KIND would not be possible."

Believing that you can do well by doing good, Wyndham Worldwide is committed to enhancing the quality of life of children around the globe, and making lasting contributions in the communities where its associates live, work and play. The Company supports its philanthropic goals through in-kind donations, volunteer hours and by raising awareness and funds for organizations related to its mission.

"It is incredibly humbling to be able to help these kids, whose courage is an inspiration to all of us," said Scott McLester, executive vice president and general counsel, Wyndham Worldwide. "Without KIND, many of these kids would have no voice in the immigration process, and their journey would be that much harder."

Founded by Angelina Jolie and the Microsoft Corporation, KIND was created to start a pro bono movement of law firms, corporations, nongovernmental organizations, universities and volunteers to provide quality and compassionate legal counsel to unaccompanied refugee and immigrant children in the United States. It serves as the leading organization for the protection of unaccompanied children who enter the U.S. immigration system alone and strives to ensure that no such child appears in immigration court without representation. It achieves fundamental fairness through high-quality legal representation and by advancing the child's best interests, safety, and well-being.

About Wyndham Worldwide
One of the world's largest hospitality companies, Wyndham Worldwide (NYSE: WYN) provides a wide range of hospitality products and services through its global portfolio of world-renowned brands. The world's largest hotel company based on the number of properties, Wyndham Hotel Group is home to many of the world's best-known hotel brands, with approximately 7,380 franchised hotels and over 631,800 hotel rooms worldwide. Wyndham Exchange & Rentals is the worldwide leader in vacation exchange and the world's largest professionally managed vacation rentals business, providing more than 5 million leisure-bound families annually with access to over 106,000 vacation properties in 100 countries through its prominent exchange and vacation rental brands. The industry and timeshare ownership market leader, Wyndham Vacation Ownership develops, markets, and sells vacation ownership interests and provides consumer financing to owners through its network of 190 vacation ownership resorts serving approximately 915,000 owners throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and the South Pacific. Based in Parsippany, NJ, Wyndham Worldwide employs approximately 32,500 associates globally.

For more information, please visit www.wyndhamworldwide.com.

Wyndham Worldwide Corporation

Wyndham Worldwide Corporation

One of the world's largest hospitality companies, Wyndham Worldwide (NYSE: WYN) provides a wide range of hospitality products and services through its global portfolio of world-renowned brands.

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