Shatterproof and Waterford Group Charitable Foundation Team Up to Raise Awareness for Addiction Through Rappelling Event July 29th at the Hilton Hartford

Norwalk, CT, (June 17, 2014) – Shatterproof, a national organization committed to protecting children from developing addiction to alcohol or other drugs and ending the stigma and suffering of those affected by this disease, is partnering with the Waterford Group Charitable Foundation, an extension of one of the nation's top hotel and convention center management companies, Waterford Hotel Group, to draw attention to the national epidemic of drug and alcohol addiction.

The Hilton Hartford, one of Waterford Hotel Group’s managed properties, will be the host site for the July 29th Shatterproof Challenge, where 100 plus individuals will rappel down the 22-story hotel to raise vital funds to prevent and treat addiction, raise awareness and breakdown stigma about the disease. 

“We are excited to bring the Shatterproof Challenge to Hartford and enthusiastic about partnering with the Waterford Group Charitable Foundation for our Hartford event,” said Gary Mendell, founder and CEO of Shatterproof.  “Waterford and their associates are committed to our mission of increasing awareness and funding for the prevention, treatment, and recovery of this disease.”

The Shatterproof Challenge is supporting key addiction policy initiatives at the federal and state levels and educating Americans through events, public service announcements and digital and social media.  Shatterproof is staging 18 Shatterproof Challenge events across the U.S. in 2014.

“We established our Charitable Foundation in 2006 for the purpose of giving back to the communities in which our associates live and work,” said Len Wolman, chairman and CEO of Waterford Group. “It gives us great pride to partner with Gary and the Shatterproof team on this very important initiative, and to raise awareness on this disease that affects so many.”

Space is limited and filling quickly. Those interested in participating can visit https://secure.shatterproof.org/page/content/hartford-2014/ for more details.

About Shatterproof

Shatterproof is a national organization committed to protecting children from developing addiction to alcohol or other drugs and ending the stigma and suffering of those affected by this disease.  In the U.S. alone, addiction to alcohol and other drugs claims more than 135,000 lives every year — 370 people every day, 15 every hour.  A well-funded, large-scale movement can alter the course of this disease and save countless lives.  It has worked for cancer, heart disease and diabetes. And it can work for addiction by bridging serious gaps in funding and resources.  Gary Mendell, a member of the Clinton Global Initiative, founded Shatterproof to educate, empower and equip families, educators, health care providers, legislators and others to address addiction on a national scale.  His son, Brian, passed away at the age of 25 after struggling with addiction for nearly ten years.  

For more information about Shatterproof, please visit www.shatterproof.org  like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter @ShatterproofHQ.

About Waterford Group Charitable Foundation

In 2006, Waterford Group and its affiliates formed the Waterford Group Charitable Foundation, a registered 501c3 nonprofit, which supports the communities in which their associates live and work. The Foundation's mission is to improve the quality of life of others through monetary and gift-in-kind donations, as well as volunteering at various events.  Waterford associates donate to the Foundation through voluntary payroll contributions, as well as participate in numerous fundraising events each year. This allows the Waterford Group Charitable Foundation to support many charitable causes, both on a national and regional level.  

For more information about Waterford Group Charitable Foundation, please visit www.waterfordhotelgroup.com  like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter @WaterfordPR.