ON Dec. 8, JW Marriott Hotel Shenzhen invited 80 children and 10 teachers from the Shenzhen Welfare Center to celebrate Christmas and New Year at Jinmao Ballroom.

General Manager Colin Young and more than 50 Marriott employees participated in the activity.

This is the second celebration the hotel has held with the welfare center this year. Young said, “We love to see children smile. It is important to let the least fortunate children know they are cared about.”

The celebration began with two 8-year-old disabled boys performing the bawu, a traditional Chinese instrument. Their performance was greeted with raucous applause.

JW Marriott Shenzhen has prepared a delicious buffet lunch for the children and teachers, and at the end of the celebration every child received a Christmas gift from the hotel’s very own Santa Claus.

Other Marriott Hotels in the region such as Marriott Executive Apartment Shenzhen, China Hotel, Guangzhou and Marriott Hotel Tianhe, Guangzhou sent representatives to the celebration.

“Spirit to Serve” is one of Marriott International’s stated values, which Young emphasized in his welcome speech. “JW Marriott Shenzhen is committed to continuing to reach out to the local community.”

(Maggie Tang)Colin Young joins children from the Shenzhen Welfare Center to celebrate the upcoming Christmas. Maggie Tang