Project Local Love celebrates unsung heroes

“Today, it’s all about you,” declared Keyin Tay, the project leader of Project Local Love, the Corporate Social Responsibility initiative of Care Luxury Hotels & Resorts in an event to celebrate unsung heroes who are caregivers in five welfare homes.

The "elves" holding up placards with names of generous
sponsors who supported the Project Local Love event

Tay and her Project Local Love team were dressed in Green T-shirts topped with Santa hats, calling themselves Santa’s Elves who got together in early September to brainstorm ideas for their year-end CSR project.

Over the years, this hotel group has been actively involved with contributing to the community through their CSR projects for the less fortunate and physically disabled and caring for the environment.

This year, they decided to focus on the caregivers and volunteers and to celebrate these unsung heroes who are committed to the long-term caring of orphans, the disabled and the elderly.

The event, dubbed Have Yourself a Merry Lil’ Christmas was held in the Trove Johor Baru with 24 guests of honour from Pusat Jagaan Warga Emas Nur Ehsan, Persatuan Penjagaan Kanak-kanak Terencat Akal Johor Baru, Persatuan Kebajikan I-Kasih Johor Baru, Persatuan Kebajikan Orang Tua Ceria and Persatuan Kebajikan Berkat Johor Baru.

Screenshot from video of a caregiver feeding an elderly man

Tay, who is the hotel group’s Assistant Director of Marcom, explained that the team embarked on the project in early October by visiting the selected homes and observing their daily operations for a further insight into the regular experience of the caregivers.

With permission, the team recorded videos of their visits and conversations that was later compiled into a brief video on the five welfare homes to raise more awareness about the needs of the homes from the viewpoint of the caregivers.

A separate video on the caregivers, who have been working with these homes for several years, was both emotional and inspiring.

Another screenshot of a caregiver helping
a child with his school homework

When subtly asked what they wished for in return for their work, their frank replies – while it was in different words, ended up with the same meaning – because each one of them was doing their work unconditionally, not expecting anything in return.  

At the event, Tay also took the opportunity to thank the hotel group’s corporate team, the generous sponsors, the media and of course, the unsung heroes for their commitment to their daily tasks.

To show appreciation to these heroes, nine team members or elves marched onto the stage, each holding a placard written with an alphabet which when lined up, spelled LOCAL LOVE.

Representatives from the five welfare homes received
mock cheques of RM1,000 each from the hotel group

Then the elves took turns to present sealed envelopes, one each to the heroes.

And when each envelope was presented, all the elves bowed and said in unison: “Thank You!” to that hero.

For once, it was all about the heroes as they humbly accepted the expressions of appreciation from this hotel group.

After all the envelopes were presented, the elves held up placards with the names of the corporations and organisations to acknowledge their generosity in sponsoring the gifts in kind and in cash.

The "elves" were joined by Santa Claus and
Santa Rina in a fun and energetic dance routine

For an element of surprise, the recipients were invited to open their own envelope to read the name of the corporation or organisation which sponsored their gift.

Then one-by-one, the heroes were presented with individual gifts as a token of appreciation for their selfless service to the less fortunate in our local community.

Finally, a representative each from the five welfare homes received mock cheques in the sum of RM1,000 each for the homes, contributed by Care Luxury Hotels & Resorts.

The event closed on a joyous note when the elves were joined by Santa Claus and Santa Rina in a fun and energetic dance routine.

One for the album: A meaningful and memorable Project Local Love event for Christmas 2019

After capturing group photos as special mementoes of a meaningful inaugural event by Project Local Love, guests were invited to a Christmas High Tea buffet spread.

The properties under this hotel group include Trove Johor Baru, Hotel Granada Johor Baru, Tunamaya Beach & Spa Resort Desaru Coast and Tunamaya Beach & Spa Resort Tioman.

Trove Johor Baru is situated at the corner where Jalan Abdullah Tahir meets with Jalan Tebrau, 80300 Johor Baru, Johor. Tel: +607 – 272 8888.

For reservations, Tel: +6012 881 8413 or +6016 771 7585.