I've been associated with New Directions for over twenty years. I am fortunate to work at the Anaheim Marriott and we've partnered with ND with room donations so they can carry on their program. Every December they have a Holiday Happiness Event and it is a delight to welcome the "travelers" and their "tour leaders." They bring a joy and a delightful spirit to our hotel that is unmatched. The tour guides are all volunteers and they are so accommodating and considerate of their charges. The organization appreciates every thing we do for them. The service ND provides these individuals during the Holidays, many who otherwise would be left alone in their state-facilities, with a place to go to, friends to be with, visits with a gift-bearing Santa, fun at amusement parks, good food, laughter and love, is beyond anything I've ever seen! It has also been a wonderful experience for our staff to serve people with disabilities. I've seen an increased patience and empathy for our guests with disabilties because our people are not put off by someone that looks different. We've seen first hand that just because someone is in a wheelchair or can't communicate normally, it doesn't mean they are without minds of their own, feelings and the capacity to love. Not only is ND providing a wonderful service for people with disabilities but they are showing the world who these wonderful people really are!