Sheraton Fiji Golf and Beach Resort Hotel manager Yvo Alexander Van Dijk has confirmed the global initiative called ‘Goodnight Moon’ which will raise funds for the UNICEF Foundation for Children, alongside their long-running local partnership with the Malolo Homes orphanage.
Mr Dijk said the Goodnight Moon project is being run across the approximately 450 Sheraton hotels worldwide.
“Goodnight Moon is a bed night story for kids, and we have readers from all around the world to put this bedside story together.”
Mr Dijk said the initiative included a donation drive, which is matched by the Marriott corporation.
“For every dollar in Marriott Bonvoy points that are being donated, Marriott is putting another two dollars on top of that and 100 per cent of that is going to the UNICEF Children that will be donated for various charities around the world.”
Mr Dijk said the resort will facilitate cash donations through its lobby.
“We have in our lobby a wishing tree and there all of our customers that are staying in the hotel, or customers from outside, can make a donation that will be then again matched two times to one for UNICEF Children.
“So, just to put it in perspective, if you stay in any of our hotels, you collect points and those points you can then further donate in Marriott World.
“We have personally donated 25,000 points, which is the equivalent of $US100. So, you make them while staying in our properties around the world.”
Mr Dijk said funds collected by UNICEF through the global partnership will be distributed locally to various NGOs.
“For us, we are working closely with Malolo Homes, where we are supporting them through all kinds of charity events.
“So, we do make a wish for the children through Malolo Homes, where we have the orphanage.”
Mr Dijk said the resort has an existing partnership with Malolo Homes that is now running in its third year. Through this initiative, 45 children at the home received Christmas presents last year.
“We were with minister Sashi Kiran, and she was one of the driving forces behind the Malolo Home and she introduced us to them. “Those initiatives are very much driven by individuals with little means but very big hearts.
“It’s unbelievable what they do, and we have been fortunate enough that we could support them through that.”
Mr Dijk said the resort is organising a customer donation drive for the Malolo Homes children.
“So, we had one last year and this year again. We have baskets where guests can donate for the children of the Malolo Homes.
“They put together a wish list and then guests buy according to the wishlist, or they donate cash that we then buy presents for them.”
