SDX Sodexho Alliance Ads

Cozy Friends Bring Warm Cheer GAITHERSBURG, Md., Oct. 11 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Sodexho USA (NYSE:SDX), the nation's leading provider of food and facilities management services is taking the hospital patient experience to a new level by bringing smiles to patients' faces with the popular "towel animals" featured aboard Carnival Cruise Lines' ships. The whimsical creatures -- which greet guests as they arrive in their staterooms each evening -- will be introduced into hospitals this fall. Carnival is working with Sodexho to train its employees in the art of making these animals, with the first round to include swans, dogs and cobras. As hospital employees advance their towel animal skills, additional animals will be added to the collection. "In their quest to make a patient's hospital stay as enjoyable as possible, our employees thought the loveable 'towel animals' that Carnival greets its cruise guests with would be a much appreciated addition to what is often a vulnerable and uncomfortable situation," said Dudley Abbe, senior vice president of the patient experience brand for Sodexho Health Care Services. "Since our employees interact with patients and their families everyday, we thought who better to understand their needs." Abbe noted that Carnival's recently published book -- "Towel Animal Creations" which provides helpful page-by-page instructions on creating the different animals -- is serving as a reference manual by hospital employees. Commented Carnival President and CEO Bob Dickinson, "'Towel animals' are one of the many popular features aboard the 'Fun Ships' -- enjoyed by children and adults alike. Carnival is very pleased to work with Sodexho in teaching hospital employees how to brighten a patient's day by creating these fun and whimsical creatures." Carnival is the largest and most popular cruise line in the world, with a fleet of 21 "Fun Ships" operating voyages ranging from three to 16 days in length to the Bahamas, Caribbean, Mexican Riviera, Alaska, Hawaii, Canada, New England, Bermuda and Europe. The line will expand its fleet with the launch of the new 110,000-ton Carnival Freedom, which is scheduled to enter service in February 2007. Sodexho USA (http://www.sodexhousa.com/) is the leading provider of food and facilities management in the United States, with $6.3 billion in annual revenue and 110,000+ employees. Sodexho USA offers innovative outsourcing solutions in food service, housekeeping, grounds keeping, plant operations and maintenance, asset management, and laundry services to more than 6,000 corporations, health care, long term care and retirement centers, schools, college campuses, military and remote sites in North America. Headquartered in Gaithersburg, MD, Sodexho USA proudly serves as the official food service provider for the U.S. Marine Corps. DATASOURCE: Sodexho USA CONTACT: Sarah Cody of Sodexho USA, +1-301-987-4413, ; or Tim Gallagher or Jennifer de la Cruz of Carnival Cruise Lines, +1-305-599-2600, ext. 16000, Web site: http://www.sodexhousa.com/

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