Indonesia
Sheraton Made Xmas Dream for Orphanage Kids Come True
Christmas felt special this year for residents of Pelayanan Kasih Orphanage Surabaya. Their dream of nice clothing for church, full school gear and new futsal footwear, were brought real by Sheraton Surabaya Hotel and Towers team.
It’s all started from Christmas Tree Lightning, simple ceremonial for festive season on last December 5th, 2014. Sheraton invited children of Pelayanan Kasih Orphanage to sing Christmas carol in serenity. The kids were also asked to write down and hang their Christmas wish on the Wishing Tree, the name for a beautiful Christmas tree in the lobby.
According to General Manager Chris Moore, this Christmas tradition has been performed in Sheraton since 2012. “We asked children of the orphanage to write down their most wished Christmas gift. And we truly try to keep up with it,” said Chris.
The hand written on the small piece of paper can be read by anyone, including hotel guests. Sheraton then invited the guests who cared to help making the wishes of this Pelayanan Kasih Orphanage kids came true. They could buy the gifts according to the wishes of kids they choose. Or they can give it in cash money to front office team.
The result was a major satisfaction. According to Marketing Communication Amanda Dianova, they got 40 gifts from the guests and donation of Rp 8.500.000 for 18 days of Wishing Tree on display. Employees of Sheraton who pass by the Christmas tree decorated with hanging cards every day, wasn’t left out. They were moved to do their part of charity through this activity.
The peak was on December 23rd 2014, two days before the Christmas. Sheraton team reinvited the children from Pelayanan Kasih Orphanage, but not for singing. This time they were taken to shop their Christmas wishes like the ones they out on the Wishing Tree. The invitation that was surely welcomed in joy of the orphanage kids.
Their first destination was the shoe store in Praban area. The kids were so happy to pick futsal shoes of their own choice, model, size and color. From there, the shopping moved to Matahari Department Store in Tunjungan Plaza for Christmas suits and school grear. “I’m very happy to buy shoes for futsal,” Eden Ezer (9), a kid of the group, claimed.
As they returned to Link@Sheraton in the lobby area, the kids looked happily checking out each other’s shopping item. The joy that spread to team Sheraton who accompanied the group. “To see them laugh with their dream Christmas gifts is our happiness. Life is better when shared,” Chris smiled.
Pelayanan Kasih Orphanage’s Counselor Kristianti Arisandi thanked for the attention offered by Sheraton for her children. The orphanage that is located at 123 Simpang Darmo Permai Selatan XV, housed 72 children of babies to teenagers. “The children are so happy to shop for what they need and like. Normally they were given, no picking there. We are all happy to have this kind of affection from Sheraton”, said Kristianti.
HAFIDA INDRAWATI
PHOTOS: HAFIDA INDRAWATI
