Marriott holds gala event for Yao Foundation

By Yuan Shenggao | China Daily | Updated: 2017-11-04 07:09

More than 1.34 million yuan ($200,000) was raised to support the Marriott Yao Foundation Hope Project at the Marriott International Charity Gala Dinner for the Yao Foundation, held last week at Renaissance Beijing Capital Hotel.

"The long-term effect we create together for China's rural areas and youth education has much more value than the resources and contribution we offered," said Henry Lee, chief operations officer and managing director of Marriott International Greater China.

The event was co-hosted by the Marriott North China Business Council and the Yao Foundation.

Yao Ming, former professional basketball star and founder of the Yao Foundation, said everyone can support charity, and that each effort can become a force to make the world a better place.

Marriott International said it will continue working on the Hope project with the foundation, by supporting the construction of primary schools in impoverished areas. It is also committed to the Yao Foundation Hope Primary School Basketball Season.

The foundation aims to improve the development of education in China's rural areas, which are short of teachers and resources. It takes basketball as a medium to help students learn sportsmanship and to enjoy sports.

The charity gala dinner attracted more than 550 guests, which was supported by 57 Marriott hotels of the North China Business Council in Beijing, as well as the Tianjin, Shandong province and Northeast China subcouncils.

The event kicked of with a cocktail reception, followed by an exquisite dinner, dance performance, lucky draw, live auction and silent auction.

All proceeds will be donated to the Yao Foundation for Chinese youth educational development.

Angela Pan, a guidance member of the Marriott Greater China Business Council, received the Outstanding Contribution Award on behalf of Marriott International at the event.