The world’s largest leading cleft charity, Smile Train, has partnered with Seda Hotels for the third consecutive year to raise awareness for children with clefts through selling customized Smile Train ornaments and Christmas cards at each of their locations.
Instead of a tree decorated with lavish ornaments, Seda’s lobby is now designed with a Christmas tree adorned with children’s faces. The photo on each ornament shows a beneficiary from Smile Train and it is currently being sold starting at P100. The more donations to Smile Train, the more ornaments that remind us how happy kids can be through every peso that we share for their future!
“For the first two years, we, the Seda Community and hotels and resorts under Ayala Land, were able to raise funds to support 100 cleft surgeries for Smile Train’s patients nationwide. We continue to partner with Smile Train as we aim to raise more funds to help support more children with clefts in the country,” said Andrea Mastellone, Senior Group General Manager of Seda Hotels. “This holiday season, we invite our guests, employees, and partners to support us in this cause to help change the lives of many Filipino children, including their ability to eat, breathe, and speak.”
A tree for the kids
In celebration of their three-year partnership with Smile Train, Seda BGC hosted a tree lighting event for the benefit of Smile Train patients. Apart from welcoming the Christmas season, the tree lighting ceremony also served as an appreciation party for Seda’s partners and clients, as well as a commemoration for the near-completion of its expansion tower.
“It is estimated that 5,000 babies are born with a cleft in the Philippines every year. As we celebrate our 20th year around the world, we are thankful to our partners like Seda Hotels who have been enabling us to raise awareness and create a better future for children with clefts,” shares Kimmy Flaviano, Smile Train Area Director for South East Asia.
I’ve known people who were born with a cleft palate and I’ve heard stories about their struggles. A P100 bill that I could’ve used for a comfortable trip or a hearty meal would mean so much more to them than for me. After all, Christmas is the season of giving! Might as well give back to those who are in need.
Since 1999, Smile Train, with the support of its donors and partners around the world, has supported more than 1.5 million cleft surgeries to children in need in their own communities. In the Philippines alone, Smile Train has supported more than 50,000 cleft surgeries since 2001!
For more information about Smile Train’s global efforts and to make a donation, please visit smiletrain.org. To learn more about their programs in the Philippines, you may also follow them on Twitter and Instagram, @SmileTrainPH and on Facebook at @SmileTrainPhilippines.
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