The Ritz-Carlton Hotels of Asia Pacific is launching its fourth regional fundraiser program this week for Smile Asia – a global alliance of independentcharities. This will bring the total funds raised to $1.5 million. Smile Asia Week runs from May 8 to 14 and sees specially-crafted cakes sold to raise funds for the international medical charity that provides children with cleft lips or palates a reason to smile again.
All 24 Ritz-Carlton hotels in Asia Pacific are participating with over 10,000 ladies and gentlemen lending their skills and passion to their community and guests. Pastry chefs of The Ritz-Carlton in each country designed their recipes for the cake sale, taking into account local variations in taste and preference.
In India, mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau and Singapore, Valhrona Chocolate and Cherry Banana Cake was chosen, reflecting the universal popularity of chocolate to bring a smile to everyone’s face and cherry banana being a flavor that appealed to children and adults alike. All cakes are sold exclusively through the website www.smileasia.org.
The celebration cakes can be used to celebrate special occasions amongst family and friends from Mother’s Day to anniversaries and birthdays. The website also allows friends and family from across the world to send the cake to their loved ones and friends in Asia and have it delivered.
All proceeds go directly to the charity and will be used to send medical volunteers on surgical missions across Asia. A portion of the proceeds from Smile Asia Week in 2016 will be used to provide Plastic Surgery Fellowships to two deserving doctors from the Kingdom of Bhutan in 2017. This would be the first such initiative supported by Smile Asia, which is aimed at long-term self-sufficiency of countries where there is a lack of qualified professionals.
“Asia Week is an annual signature event and just one way our ladies and gentlemen proudly share their skills and knowledge to lift up communities in Asia and inspire our guests to join us in this sustainable effort,” said Victor Clavell, Area VP-Luxury, Asia Pacific (excluding China), Marriott International. “I am delighted that Smile Asia is able to change so many lives with our contribution.”
To date, the funds raised in three years totalled $1,250,154 to support almost 1,515 operations and the contribution in 2017 is expected to be even higher, to help bring a total fund raised in four years to achieve $1.5 million.
