MARRIOTT BUSINESS COUNCIL INDONESIA DONATES OVER 5,200 SHOES TO SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITIES NATIONWIDE

Marriott Business Council Indonesia has successfully launched the “Shoes to School” initiative across Indonesia, bringing together over 70 of Marriott International’s portfolio of hotels and resorts to donate shoes to children in need. Originally initiated in Jakarta in 2006, this annual charity event has now expanded to include Bali, Lombok, Labuan Bajo, and other regions throughout Indonesia. This collaborative effort has resulted in the donation of over 5,200 pairs of shoes to schools and communities in Jakarta, Bali, Lombok, and Labuan Bajo, with an additional 2,000 pairs expected to be distributed by the initiative’s completion across the rest of Indonesia.

Guided by Serve 360, Marriott International’s commitment to creating a positive and sustainable impact wherever they do business, Marriott Business Council Indonesia has been a proactive advocate for meaningful and impactful initiatives that support local communities. The “Shoes to School” initiative not only addresses a basic necessity but also invests in the children’s future. Funding for the project comes from donations made by Marriott International associates at hotels across Indonesia, as well as contributions from associates’ annual leave, which were converted into funds equivalent to the cost of shoes.

“We are thrilled to see the ‘Shoes to School’ initiative come to life. This program embodies Marriott International’s commitment to being a force for good and making a meaningful change in the communities we serve. It represents our collective effort to make a real difference and underscores our steadfast dedication to fostering positive social impact,” said Martin Ehlers, Chairman of Marriott Business Council Indonesia.

Shoes to School in Bali, Lombok, and Labuan Bajo

In Bali, Lombok, and Labuan Bajo, 26 hotels participated in the program, successfully raising IDR 472,000,000. This enabled the donation of more than 3,000 pairs of shoes to two school partners and 82 orphanages in Bali. The Department of Social Services for Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection of Bali Province assisted in the distribution of these shoes. The handover ceremony took place on August 14, 2024, at Renaissance Bali Uluwatu Resort & Spa, and was attended by local officials, media representatives, and beneficiaries.

Shoes to School in Jakarta

Led by Marriott Business Council Jakarta, 2,335 pairs of shoes have been distributed since July 2024 to schools and communities in Bogor, Depok, and West Java through five Emmanuel Foundation programs: EduNation Outreach, IDEA for individuals with special needs, the Mobile Library Programme, the Food Rescue Programme, and DPR: Disaster Relief and Recovery Program. This was made possible by the IDR 221,825,000 raised through the collaborative efforts of associates across 15 of Marriott International’s hotels and offices in Jakarta. A symbolic handover event was held at Sheraton Jakarta Soekarno Hatta Airport on August 19, 2024, attended by General Managers of hotels in Jakarta, the Emmanuel Foundation team, representatives from the Bantar Gebang Foundation and other involved foundations, as well as media representatives.

Shoes to School in the Rest of Indonesia

Coordinated by Marriott Business Council Rest of Indonesia, the “Shoes to School” project also includes 25 hotels in Medan, Bintan, Belitung, Lampung, Bandung, Yogyakarta, Surabaya, Balikpapan, Manado, and Makassar. The project aims to donate 2,200 pairs of shoes to local students in partnership with community organizations and charity foundations. Fundraising from Marriott International associates will continue until September 30, 2024, with the official handover of shoes to beneficiaries scheduled in October 2024.