STARWOOD Hotels and Resorts Worldwide Inc gave US,000 to the 2007 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Shanghai yesterday.

Qian Jin, Starwood China senior vice president for operations, presented the check to Timothy Shriver, chairman of Special Olympics International.

Starwood announced last December a three-year global partnership as the exclusive hotel sponsor of the Special Olympics. It includes cash and in-kind support.

Starwood has provided almost 4,000 room nights for Special Olympics athletes, families, coaches, officials and guests.

Yesterday's donation was raised from the Starwood-Special Olympics panda program in August.

"The souvenir pandas were sold at the 38 Starwood hotels in China to raise both awareness and funds," Qian said.

"The limited-edition pandas are named 'Kai Kai' which, in Chinese, expresses a wish of great success in all that the athletes do. It helps drive the message of understanding, acceptance and inclusion among people with and without intellectual disabilities."

Under another program launched globally this year, Starwood gave US to Special Olympics International for every Westin Heavenly Bed, Sheraton Sweet Sleeper Bed and Four Points by Sheraton Four Comfort bed sold through Starwood retail channels or online retail stores and at the hotels.

"This unique global sponsorship will help increase public awareness of the Special Olympics, enhance our corporate social responsibility mission and further strengthen our brand presence in important travel markets and diverse local communities," Qian said.

Starwood also actively participated in pre-Games activities such as a 1,000-person ceramic wall-building event in Shanghai involving athletes and volunteers in July and a three-day carnival last month that celebrated the coming of the Games in 10 days.

Qian said he has two feelings as host: one from being part of Starwood, the other from being Shanghainese.

He said the partnership with Special Olympics is to promote good will, humanity and the sports spirit.

"In addition, since the spirit of sport is aligned with our brand values and vision, we hope to be a partner of the Beijing Olympics," he said.