By Vincent D’Silva

JOHOR BARU:  Suasana Suites Hotel turned Santa Claus this festive season, fulfilling wishes of 52 underprivileged kids from the Calvary Children’s Home, with the help of kind hearted Malaysians.

Called “Make My Wish Come True”, the project was to fulfil the wishes of unfortunate school children in the local community.

The children placed their wishes on card and hanged them on the Christmas tree located at the hotel lobby. Donors then picked up a wish card each, purchased the gift, attached the card to the gift and placed it in the “Wish Basket” located at level 33A and lobby area of the hotel.

Each gift that was placed in the basket also contained a short message from the donor.

According to the hotel chief operating officer Izudin Merican Malik Merican, the initiative is an annual event in conjunction with the year-end festive season.

He said the Wish Basket was to encourage the public to share their spirit of loving and giving.

“It is hoped that the children will benefit from the gifts and have a cheerful Christmas,” he said.

The hotel has been organising the “Make My Wish Come True” for the past three years under the “Suasana Care – Serving Our Community With Our Heart philosophy.

The project started with 24 children and this year the number has steadily increased.

“The public were very supportive, and many came forward to support this project,” he said.

Izudin said Suasana Suites not only provide services to the guests in the hospitality industry but always give back to the community.

He said with the overwhelming response, Suasana Suites will continue to organise many more similar Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) projects to serve the community.

The recipients were then treated to delicious food prepared by the hotel and took part in some exciting games and quizzes.

The presence of Santa Claus added more merriment as he began distributing sweets and candies to the guests.

Before leaving, the children rendered two Christmas carols for the audience. They sang Feliz Navidad and Hark the Herald Angels Sing much to the delight of those present.

Children from Calvary Children’s Home and Suasana Suites Hotel staff pose for a group photo – Pix by Vincent D’Silva

Main Photo: The children are all smiles as their wishes come true this year.