Wilkes-Barre, PA (May 11, 2005) — Students at St. Peter & Paul have been digging in the dirt over the last few weeks instead of hitting the books.  They have learned how vegetables and flowers grow - in their Hilton Garden Inn® Wilkes-Barre school garden!

The Hilton Garden Inn Wilkes-Barre, owned and operated by High Hotels, Ltd., has sponsored and assisted the 3rd grade class at St. Peter & Paul with this growing educational experience.  Hilton Garden Inn, with more than 220+ hotels located throughout North America, are collectively working with local schools in their community to educate children about the many facets of gardening and its importance to the global environment.  The brand recently formed a relationship with the National Gardening Association to provide guidance and knowledge to educators and hotel team members on how to start these gardens that provide a clear, hands-on approach that the students can enjoy.

The National Gardening Association (NGA), based in South Burlington, Vermont, is a non-profit organization committed to educating our youth about the importance of gardening and environmental responsibility.  Through gardening, NGA promotes the advance of multi-disciplinary learning and scientific literacy and creates partnerships that restore and enhance communities.

A special Hilton Garden Inn School Garden Education Kit was developed by the National Gardening Association specifically for this community outreach campaign.  The Hilton Garden Inn Wilkes-Barre has donated this package, along with their personal teamwork and dedication, towards growing this special relationship of a school garden together.

"We are completely supportive of the National Gardening Association's main focus of teaching future generations more about the world and the community in which they live - right from the ground up," said Heather Fogle, hotel general manager.  "Our Hilton Garden Inn team members are dedicated and proud to give back to the community and what better way than to plant the seeds of knowledge into the minds of today's youth."

The Hilton Garden Inn Wilkes-Barre has provided St. Peter & Paul's 3rd grade class with an indoor garden education package, which has been specifically developed by the National Gardening Association, to enable youngsters and teachers to raise vegetable, flower, and herb gardens, from seed to seed, right in the classroom.  The GrowLab™ Light Garden and the Windowsill Herb Kit inspire classroom science investigations, thematic projects, and crafts.

The Hilton Garden Inn Wilkes-Barre is located at 242 Highland Park Blvd., Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, 18702.  Their phone number is (570) 820-8595 and fax number is (570) 820-8599.  To find out more about the Hilton Garden Inn Wilkes-Barre's efforts and participation with St. Peter & Paul and the National Gardening Association, please contact the hotel directly at (570) 820-8595, or call (877) STAY HGI in the United States and Canada or visit www.hiltongardeninn.com.

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