The Tribune

THE British Colonial Hilton helped to make the holidays a little brighter for a handful of students from the Salvation Army’s after school programme.

The resort hosted its 2nd annual charity tree lighting ceremony on December 11.

The undertaking is a joint effort between BCH, The Q Club, Milo Butler & Sons, Pro Photo, The Phoenix Institute and The Salvation Army.

Eighteen students participated in this year’s holiday event.

“We make an effort every year to do something really special for the students from the Salvation Army’s after school programme. The charity tree lighting event was created to provide these kids with the opportunity to have their own tree for the holidays. Whether we realise it or not, there are many among us who never get to enjoy and celebrate some of the things that we often take for granted during this time of year. It warms our hearts to see them so excited and full of joy,” said Theodore Sealy, BCH marketing and leisure sales manager.

“The tree lighting ceremony is an event we look forward to at the end of the year. We were grateful to receive the call from the resort last year for the event and this year the kids were counting down its arrival. It’s not very often that the students, from both branches of the programme, get to spend time together. This event provides them with that opportunity and you have no idea how much they treasure it,” said Melanese Coakley, community relations associate at The Salvation Army.

The after school programme, which is split between the organisation’s Mackey Street and Grants Town branches, was launched in 2008 with an aim to provide students within the inner city with a positive environment to help them improve their literacy and numeracy skills.

“Community service is an integral part of Hilton Worldwide’s culture and acts of kindness through volunteerism and community outreach occur year-round across our portfolio of 12 distinct brands and more than 4,200 properties. We here at British Colonial Hilton cherish the relationship we have built with The Salvation Army and it is truly a delight to provide these kids with a tree and an event that they can call their own,” said Rui Domingues, BCH general manager.

Milo Butler & Sons donated one of its best 8-foot fluffy evergreens for the charity event. Pro-Photo printed the personalised ornaments for the tree, The Phoenix Institute made a monetary donation toward the event and the Q Club extended a generous discount on the decorations.

The tree is located on the second floor of the resort overlooking the Bullion Lounge. Families are invited to view and take pictures by the tree; everyone is encouraged to make a kind donation to the Salvation Army during the holidays.