Marriott International has raised $ 270,000 from Run to Give Hotel Charity Runs. The runs took place on 16 October 2016 across Asia Pacific. In Bengaluru, Aloft Bengaluru Cessna Business Park, Sheraton Grand Bangalore at Brigade Gateway and Four Points by Sheraton Bengaluru joined hands in support of CUPA Wildlife Rescue & Rehabilitation Centre and Shree Sai Healing Trust.
“Run to Give this year is bigger and even more significant than ever,” said Craig S. Smith, President and Managing Director, Asia Pacific for Marriott International. “Not only is the event a first for us since the completion of our merger transaction, it also further underscores our commitment to ensure that the increased presence of our hotels in terms of footprint and associate strength continue to drive positive sustainable social and economic impact in the communities which we operate. Run to Give echoes with the mission of Marriott International’s TakeCare movement, which we believe will lead the culture integration in the combined company; and reinforce our core values of putting people first.”
In January 2016, Marriott launched a “TakeCare” movement in Asia Pacific providing resources and opportunities for associates to stay physically and spiritually healthy with an ultimate goal of improving the wellbeing and happiness of associates, while making a difference in the communities that Marriott International operates in.
Run to Give is unique in each location and the events were organized by different Marriott International properties in various locations; some collaborating for the first time to organize such a large-scaled event. Funds raised in each location benefited a local charity for maximum local relevance and a broader impact with wider reach.
Talking about the initiative, Faiz Alam Ansari, Complex General Manager, Sheraton Grand Bengaluru Whitefield and Convention Centre & Aloft Bengaluru Cessna Business Park said, “Run to Give is a charitable movement that encourages and inspires guests to discover new approaches to well-being whilst driving meaningful impacts to our local communities. We are committed to making a difference in the communities which we operate through fun and healthy activities. Through our association with CUPA Wildlife Rescue & Rehabilitation Centre, the benefactions we collect will provide aid to ensuring care of wild life animals whilst our association with Shree Sai Healing Trust will serve in promoting unity & divinity of each individual as well as providing goods and services to those in need.”
Initiated in 2014 by the legacy Starwood Hotels & Resorts Asia Pacific under the ‘Starwood Cares’ umbrella as individual hotel charity runs, the inaugural event saw an overwhelming response of over 20,000 runners take part in 92 locations across Asia Pacific; raising a total of close to USD$228,000. In 2015, the run took on the official event name ‘Run to Give’ – chosen amongst close to 500 internal submission entries by Starwood Asia Pacific associates, best representing the spirit of the charity event.
