DISTRIBUTION OF CHRISTMAS WISH TREE GIFTS TO THE CHILDREN CARE CENTERS.
The Miri Marriott Resort & Spa launched it first Christmas Wish Tree project in 2006 to bring cheers to ‘Special Children’ from the children care centers in Miri who were physically or mentally challenged.
Started with only 137 children from 2 care centers and 2 orphanage, the number has increased ever since compared to 408 children for this sixth edition, 2011.
The project involved setting up of an 8-meter Christmas Tree decorated with lighting and ornaments in the resort lobby on which individual card of the children with photograph and ‘Christmas Wish’ printed on the cards hung on the Christmas Wish Tree.
Resort guests and the public were then encouraged to sponsor the children’s wishes either by purchasing the gifts or make cash donations toward the purchase of the gifts. Most are simple wishes for which we take for granted but it’s something endearing to these kids such as new apparel, toys, books, school supplies and accessories ranging from RM10 to RM50.
One best part of the campaign is when it comes to the distribution of the gifts to the children at the centers, an ultimate joy!
Read through as we distributed the gifts to the to the children over the 2 days.
Day 1
Pusat Pemulihan Dalam Komuniti (PDK)
There are 150 children at the PDK center. Here, the children are taught and trained to acquire certain basic living skills, writing and reading, handicraft making and daily physical therapy. Each day has scheduled activities for a weekly routine.
The team from Miri Marriott Resort & Spa led by its Public Relations & Communications Manager, Lian Pasan arrived at the center at 2pm for the first of four distributions planned for the day. We were greeted by the Mdm Wong and Ms. Chong, two of the five caretakers at the centers. Unfortunately most of the children had gone out for the outdoor activity just few km away from the center. Nevertheless, we managed to mingle with those few stayed back from the outdoor activity.
As we dig deep into the 5 gift bags revealing the gifts, we could see the children were starting to get excited with a broad smile. This is the lovely expression we see each year and very touching.
Since most of the children were not around, we left it to Mdm Wong and Ms Chong to distribute the gifts afterall all gifts come with name while some with message card from the contributor. We took some time to chat with the children wishing them a good day, a belated Merry Christmas and New Year and advance Chinese New Year. We said “bye bye” to the children and headed to NASOM.
Lian & the marriott team at PDK.
National Autistic Society of Malaysia (NASOM)
The National Autistic Society of Malaysia (NASOM) care center is located in Piasau, 2 km from PDK. The center’s chairman, Mr. Richard and Cik Rabiah were already expecting our arrival and greeted us at the entrance.
It was at NASOM that the team was joined by our General Manager, Marcel Hinderer and Director of Human Resource, Rita Chen for the more and the merrier. As we shook hand and said “hi!” to the children, a writing caught our eyes on the white board that says “Thank You Marriott”. Thoughtfulness children. We grouped everyone for a group photo but the children were fully focused on the gifts. Well who doesn’t when the goodies are right under your nose. A total of 19 children participated in our Christmas Wish Tree Project but we were told a new kid registered with the center a week ago making it 20 children at NASOM. Not to worry, we always brought with us few extra gifts incase we missed out and that works weel for us.
Resort GM, Marcel Hindrer giving away the gifts.
MRCS Sunflower Center
The MRCS SUnflower center is one of the first children care centers in Miri. This time we were gretted by more active and cheerful children. I could say a little hyper but organized. The expression on the children’s face says we can’t wait any longer. The time has come to distribute the gifts and it was really heartening seeing them smiling, singing, jumping, yodeling with joy. A lovely moment to witness overjoyed kids. Once again, thanking all the contributors for bringing joy to these kids! We were so touched. There were 80 children at the MRCS Sunflower care center. Trained to perform some self-reliant skills and are encouraged to participate in all the daily activities excluding for outdoor.
Resort General Manager, Marcel Hinderer & Director of HR, Mdm Rita distributing the gifts to the children at MRCS SUnflower center.
Children at the Persatuan Kanak-Kanak Istimewa Miri.
Persatuan Penyanyang Kanak-Kanak Istimewa Miri
From MRCS we droved 23 km along Miri - Bintulu road to Persatuan Penyanyang Kanak-Kanak Istimewa Miri. Here, there were 38 children staying full-time from Monday to Friday and would go back to their parents, guardians or relatives during the weekend. However, it was rather sad to see 3 of these children were bed bound and unable to move around unlike the other kids. And more to that, the 2 were siblings. We felt so much for the indisposition they were in, it hurts and absolutely unfair!
After the group photo, we picked up the gifts reading the name one by one with a “thank you or terima kasih” replies from the children. I supposed it’s very normal for children to give shy reaction on receiving something from someone, children’s nature “mah!”, children are still children but everyone one of them were very delighted. Once again, thank you you good people!
DAY 2.
Sarawak Children Cancer Society (SCCS)
The SCCS was our first destination on day 2. We visited Ms Jocelyn Lim at her work place; she’s the person who unselfishly poured her time to ensure that all the children cancer patients were well cared and treated. She even assist to source for almost anything that is paramount to the patient including hard to find prescriptions, medical apparatus. She would attend to patient’s emotional need and organise fund-raising events for the them and one could this that the shildren were so attached to her.
The SCCS has not gotten a place or center of their own yet but it was in their plan. Patients are home based with their parents or guardians but making regular visits to the hospital. Too often a visit becomes an admission in the ward.
Samuel Tay received his red Cap & red T-shirt whiloe for Nasrullah’s, it’s a 4 Days 3 Nights stay with daily breakfast at Miri Marriott Resort & Spa.
The Marriott team with Samuel and Nasrullah accompanied by their guardians and Ms Joycelyn standing 2nd right.
2 of the 25 cancer children turned up to receive their gifts. Samuel Tan, aged 10 diagnosed with cerebrum cancer on receiving his gift, he pressed the gift fondly against his chest andgave us a sweet smile. Good for Samuel, he received 2 gifts from 2 different contributors.
Nasrullah Nazirr has quite a smart wish, this was longing for a stay at Miri Marriott Resort & Spa. We presented him the mock voucher with his name printed on it for a 4 Days and 3 Nights stay in ourDeluxeGardenroom with daily breakfast for 2 persons.
Cleft Lip And Palate Association Malaysia (CLAPAM)
Next, it was Columbia Asia Hospital the center where all corrective surgeries were performed in Miri by a flown in surgeon, Dr. Tan from West Malaysia. He comes twice a year to do the corrective surgery.
Dr. Mattu, the chairman of the hospital and Dr. Philip Raja the doctor in-charge of the CLAPAM program in Miri received our team at the hospital. Both Dr. Mattu and Raja expressed their thankfulness and hope that we continue with the program to benefit children who can’t afford to undergo the corrective surgery which is costly and the aid goes as far as Bintulu, Sibu and Kuching. The cheque amounting to RM6,000 was handed over to Dr. Mattu and Dr. Philip receiving on behalf of CLAPAM.
Resort GM, Marcel Hinderer handing over the cheque to Dr. Mattu (center) & Dr. Philip Raja for consecutive five years.
Methodist Children Home
Gift distribution at the Methodist Home.
An orphanage located at Pujut 5 home is the home for the 31 orphan. What’s good was that all of them go to school. As a private orphanage, the home relies largely on the public support. According to Mr. Ling, the person in-charge of the orphanage, situation at the home has been good and let’s hope it stays that way. The children had been with our Christmas Wish Tree Project year it started.
General Hospital
Our visit to the Miri General hospital makes it the last destination for the gifts to the kids. There were 2 children’s wards at the Miri General hospital. Dr Teh, whom we met at the wards smiled and commented we came just about the right time when the wards recorded the highest number of patients. True to his words, almost every bed was occupied going through the physical and emotional challenge. We hope our presence brought a little joy and smile. May not be lasting but atleast to make a little difference for these kids. Once again, our gratitude goes to all contributors for making it a day for everyone, the facilitator (Miri Marriott Resort & Spa), children care centers (partners), contributors (sponsors) and well wishers (supporters).
Gifts distribution at the Miri General hospital – Children’s Wards
An estimated RM10000 worth of gifts and RM6000 cash donated to CLAPAM from the Christmas Tree Project 2011. We look forward to the 2012 campaign and let’s hope for another successful campaign this year. We care we share!
Thank you from Miri Marriott.
MIRI: Miri Marriott Resort & Spa (MMRS) has won the Miri City Council’s 2011 Best Landscaping Award in the hotel category making it the fourth consecutive landscaping award it has won.
Lian (2nd right), PR Manager receiving the award from Dtk Lee Kim Shin.
In recognition of the five-star resort’s beautifully landscaped gardens, MMRS was adjudged the winner among the hotels here in the city council’s annual landscaping competition for private dwellings, colleges, schools, government and private office buildings and hotels.
The award was presented by the Assistant Minister of Communications and Assistant Minister of Sports Datuk Lee Kim Shin, and witnessed byMiriCitymayor Lawrence Lai and city councillors at a ceremony held at the Miri City Fan recently.
“It is indeed satisfying to receive this recognition by the Miri City Council considering the tremendous amount of improvement works we have carried out on our landscaping, particularly along our newly-landscaped oceanfront including the 2.3 km jogging trail loop around the resort’s 20-acre lush garden” said the MMRS Public Relations and Communications manager Lian Pasan on receiving the award at the ceremony.
Lian described the oceanfront, which features freshly-manicured lawns and a wide expanse of imported white sand for recreational activities as the resort’s pride and joy.
“It is popular amongst our resort guests and recreation members for outdoor activities as well as garden weddings, cocktail receptions and gatherings for up to several hundred people,” he added.
Other awards MMRS has won recently were the Ministry of Tourism & Heritage Sarawak’s ‘Outstanding Hotel & Accommodation Service Provider’ and the Hospitality Asia Platinum Awards (Hapa) 2011-2013 Regional Series with the ‘Gold HAPA Signature Family & Recreational Resort’.
Read more: http://www.theborneopost.com/2011/12/03/mmrs-wins-2011-best-landscaping-award/#ixzz1g0dlocsV
