Marriott’s World Food Programme efforts go from strength to strength
Contributors are not employed, compensated or governed by TD, opinions and statements are from the contributor directly
Marriott International’s Dubai properties have raised almost AED 300,000 for the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP).Having raised AED 84,788 in 2008, when it launched ‘The Marriott Spirit To Serve The Hungry Campaign’ to support the WFP and the UAE Red Crescent, The Marriott Business Council in Dubai, comprising Marriott Dubai, Renaissance Dubai Hotel, Courtyard by Marriott Dubai Green Community, Marriott Executive Apartments Dubai Green Community and Marriott Executive Apartments Dubai Creek have now raised a further AED 195,253 for the cause.The Marriott hotels set a target to feed 100,000 hungry school children in developing countries. It costs approximately 0.25 US cents per day to feed a child at school. Both staff and guests have contributed to the cause. A strong awareness campaign was initiated and through the distribution of flyers, posters, in-room TV information and media publicity, the hotels encouraged their guests to contribute AED 5 from their food or room bill. The associates of the five hotels have willingly donated their contribution by organizing several activities such as, Charity Bazaars at Safa Park, In-house ‘Mega Bric A Brac’ Stalls, sale of the associate produced Spirit To Serve calendars, and many more ad hoc activities took place from which all proceeds were donated directly to ‘The Spirit To Serve The Hungry Campaign’.A cheque presentation ceremony was recently held at the United Nations World Food Programme office located in International Humanitarian City Dubai. The cheque was handed over to Mageed Yahia, the Officer in Charge for the United Nations World Food Programme by Elaine Watson - Chair of the Marriott Business Council and General Manager of Courtyard by Marriott Dubai Green Community and Marriott Executive Apartments Dubai Green Community. Also present were Sabreena Jacob, Hotel Manager of Marriott Executive Apartments Dubai Creek, Kamila Siedlecka, Chairman of the Marriott Spirit To Preserve Dubai Committee and Mohammed Saif, UAE Red Crescent Dubai Branch Manager.Although General Managers Francisco Giles of Renaissance Dubai Hotel and Wael Soueid of JW Marriott Dubai were not able to attend the cheque presentation, they were delighted that the “Spirit To Serve The Hungry’ campaign has been a great success in helping to eradicate global hunger and making a positive difference in the lives of hungry school children and building hope for their tomorrow. Elaine Watson stressed that the campaign which has been dedicated to support the United Nations World Food Programme is an initiative that is championed by the Marriott Business Council Spirit to Serve Sub-Committee. Marriott has a proud tradition of supporting the cities, towns and neighborhoods that they call home and the ‘Spirit to Serve’ philosophy which affects the customers, associates and communities is a very important part of our company’s culture. “Our pledge is that every Marriott community will be a better place to live and work in because we are there” said Watson. Today with over 3,100 business units in 66 countries, Marriott International continues to play an important role globally in community outreach.”Marriott is leveraging its ability to offer thousands of guests and visitors the possibility to be part of the solution to the dramatic problem facing the world today: the problem of world hunger. We are grateful for the continued enthusiasm and commitment of the Marriott associates and guests to the campaign.”Marriott has allowed the WFP to distribute the money where it sees the greatest need and high on the list are Sudan, Somalia, Ethiopia, Kenya and Zimbabwe.The UAE Red Crescent works to assist needy communities both within the UAE and around the world. Its commitment to improving the lives of underprivileged children places it at the forefront of humanitarian efforts to combat global poverty and this has made it a highly valuable partner for WFP and numerous other humanitarian organizations.Find out more about United Nations World Food Programme on www.wfp.org.
Comments are closed.