THE Marriott South China Business Councils Shenzhen Sub-council, in collaboration with the Yao Foundation, hosted the “Run to Give 2021” charity run last Sunday at the landmark OH Bay. With the theme of “Run for the Dream,” 15 Marriott hotels in Shenzhen joined hands in organizing the event, which was participated in by more than 300 Marriott International associates and community caring people. The Shenzhen initiative raised 68,880 yuan (US$10,793) in donations for the Yao Foundation to support China youth educational development.

In the cool autumn morning, attendees first made some warmup exercises under the guidance of professional fitness trainers.

Then runners finished the race in three groups: a 2.5-kilometer fun run group, a 2.5-kilometer competition run group, and a 5-kilometer competition run group. Contestants ran along the coastline inside the OH Bay park and appreciated the picturesque coastal views, the city landscape, as well as the sight of the Ferris wheel.

This is the fifth year that Marriott hotels in China have organized the “Run to Give” campaign, according to Angela Pan, the guidance team leader of Marriott China Business Councils. “Guided by the SERVE360 principle, Marriott International keeps delivering the “spirit to serve our community.”

Our associates stay together to support the local revitalization in the form of a charity run activity and radiate positive energy to the community,” said Pan. “We are honored to invite four sports stars to join us this year and hope we can inspire more people to support educational development in rural areas.”

Ye Li, chairman of the Yao Foundation, said, “We are very happy to continue the partnership with Marriott International and to contribute to youth education development. Yao Foundation has been working together with Marriott since 2013 not only to support education projects for children, but also to deliver the same sport spirit and charity value to our society. We believe unremitting action is the best way to support those children’s dreams.”

Marriott International has so far donated 29.8 million yuan to the Yao Foundation, a specialized fund established in 2008 by former Chinese basketball player Yao Ming.

The donations have been used to build nine Hope Primary Schools in Sichuan, Guizhou, Shanxi, Hunan, Hebei and Henan provinces, and to fund libraries, computer rooms and provide necessary hardware. Moreover, Marriott International has supported eight seasons of the Hope Primary School Basketball Season project and has continuously provided support to the Yao Foundation.(Tang Li)