‘Together as One’ gear up for 5 k Hotel Charity Run - Run to Give!!

This Sunday 11th October 2015 in the bustling city of Mumbai, as part of the Starwood Asia Pacific-wide initiative hotels The Westin Mumbai Garden City and St. Regis Mumbai will integrate together to organize a philanthropic fitness event in support of Make-a-Wish Foundation India helping critically ill children realize their hearts desire . All the proceeds collected will be dedicated towards the fundraising for Make a Wish - India Foundation, supporting as an aid to meet the wishes of young children diagnosed with Cancer, Thalassemia, HIV, Muscular Dystrophy etc.

Run to Give is the continuation of Starwood Asia Pacific charity movement Together As One (TAO), Starwood’s annual global volunteer campaign. The inaugural Hotel Charity Run in 2014 saw an overwhelming response of over 20,000 runners raised a total of close to USD 228,000. This unique run will take place in 105 locations of Starwood hotels across Asia Pacific, with an aim to raise funds for the NGO or local community cause.  Starwood has dedicated the entire month of October to encourage additional volunteer efforts and also celebrate its associates’ volunteer work that takes place year-round throughout the world, making a positive impact in their communities.



Sharing thoughts on the altruistic movement  General Manager, Ashish Kumar Rai said “We are delighted to take forward Starwood’s commitment to make a difference to our community. Run to Give is a charitable movement that encourages a fun and healthy activity and inspires our guests to discover new approaches to well-being at Westin and beyond. Through our association with Make a Wish - India Foundation, the benefactions we collect will provide aid in gratifying wishes of Children diagnosed with life threatening medical conditions. Our team is looking forward to lend a hand in the enhancement of our community”



The race category in Mumbai will be 5 KM category, where the lush green environs of Goregoan will turn into the running track for the participants. Participants can register at INR.500. As part of the registration package, participants will receive a running kit with T-shirt, bottled water and refreshment. Interested participants can contact Marketing Communications at The Westin Mumbai Garden City, reach out at marketing.mumbaigardencity@westin.com

Come unite with The Westin Mumbai Garden City & St. Regis Mumbai to lend support to NGO Make-a-wish Foundation, India. 

The Westin Mumbai Garden City organizes 5 Km Charity Run for Assisi Bhavan ‘Home for Old’

The Westin Mumbai Garden City as a part of its care for community drive organized a 5 Kms charity run with its business partners and associates to create awareness and raise funds for local old aged home Assisi Bhavan. This mass well-being mobilization was identified by the Starwood Hotels & Resorts; 12th October 2014 witnessed hotels in different cities and resort destinations across Asia Pacific organize Charity run for fund raising.


The Westin Mumbai Garden City joined this ‘Do Good’ exercise by organizing a 5K Charity Run in Goregaon to raise funds for Assisi Bhavan - Home for Aged. The hotel recognizing vitality of its local community invited its associates and their families, guests & patrons along with business partners to participate in project ‘Pledge to Spread Warmth’.  The movement aimed to create awareness on the needs and requirements of the senior members at the Old-age home.





This Charity run was a huge success with a participation number up-to 160 runners and The Westin Mumbai Garden City raising INR 1,31,000 for Assisi Bhavan. While the cheering participants proudly livened up the marathon with their great enthusiasm and energy, tremendous love and support for the cause was showcased when the hotel announced the donations collected and presented it to the Assisi Bhavan representative.

The funds raised through this Charity Drive was donated to Assisi Bhavan in Goregaon East (‘home for aged’ managed by St. Joseph Convent housing 72 elderly residents). Funds will be used for utility needs such as personal hygiene, facility maintenance, medical attention, dietary requirement and linen & clothing for the senior residents.




Sharing thoughts on the movement, Anuraag Bhatnagar, Area General Manager, Starwood Hotels & Resorts India said “We at The Westin Mumbai Garden City are proud to extend our support towards community betterment initiative. Movement such as the Charity run helps us showcase our commitment for ‘care for community’ through a fun and healthy activity. Our associates have displayed keen interest and our business partners a great support in seeing through this initiative for the senior residents at Assisi Bhavan. The NGO is doing a phenomenal job in taking care of the elderly and we are more than happy in supporting them in their basic utilities & welfare.”

Birthday Bumps at Balvikas!

Our Saturday afternoon outing was not an ordinary trip, the Westin team in their full zest and glory, proudly representing The Westin Mumbai Garden City set out to celebrate the birthdays of the children at BalVikas. BalVikas is a Goregaon based NGO who support and educate orphaned children.

With bags packed like Santa Clause, games to play and music to dance to, the children had an afternoon full of fun lined up for them. Spending time with the children not only brings out the child in you but makes you learn to appreciate all the small things in life. We are pleased to share the experience of our associates with you who have been part of this activity and brought immense pleasure in the lives of these kids.

Akansha Gajria, Training Executive says, “Being a part of this drive was indeed an enriching experience for me personally. It feels good to be able to contribute something to the society by making these little souls happy.”

Gurudutt Irde, Human Resource Executive says, “It was a reality check for us wherein we understood how fortunate we actually were and how easily we take things for granted. It served as an inspiration to mingle among the children and do or our bit towards the community and I personally look forward to our next initiative in making this world a better place to live.”

“We had great fun with the kids.  It was pleasure being there and enjoying with those cute little kids. It was great spending time with the kids as it made me happy looking at the kids being so happy. It inspires us and motivates us to indulge into such a community and to do our bit for the ones who need love, affection and the need to feel belonged,” says Krishma Shah, Human Resources Executive.

Tina Khotu, Executive Secretary shared her heart warming experience. “This was not my first visit to an orphanage and certainly not my last.  It is a very heart rendering experience and one that will most likely soften even the most hard hearted person.  I was looking forward to the visit since it was announced and finally the day arrived.  We were greeted by some lovely little children, some were apprehensive and some were excited to see us, there were children of age groups between 1 year to 12 years and it is a wonder how they have been disowned by their parents.  I reasoned that there must be some kind of explanation, be it poverty or desperate circumstances, most unfair and illogical in my opinion. 

Our team set about playing games with the little ones and it was clear that they were thoroughly enjoying themselves, their laughter was infectious and their smiling faces bright and enthusiastic, trying to win the game and eagerly anticipating the next game.  They were also hungry for love and affection and wanted to be hugged.  Being a mother myself I could feel their want and need and I felt grateful that I was given the opportunity to share in this experience.  I hope and pray that these little angels find good homes and have their own family one day soon and may they find all the love to help them grow as happy and responsible adults in the future. Those innocent little faces will be etched in my memory forever.”

Pawan Sharma, Director of Security, proud father of a daughter adopted from BalVikas says, “I am sure the experience was highly rewarding to all of us and surely we can only be better persons for getting to know these kids. I will not forget all the smiles from the kids that I played with that day. Every child there wanted to be united with people who showered genuine love and affection on them.

We played dodge ball, musical chairs, we cut cake and distributed snacks to all the kids, which filled their hearts with immense joy and in turn gave us happiness. By the time we were about to leave, we had emotionally bonded with most of them but there were a few kids who easily managed to remain in our memories forever. We waved goodbye to all with a promise in our hearts to come back again and make yet another day in our lives memorable. Particularly for me there was a great feeling, feeling of being a father of a child who had come from the very place and certainty that I would be able to contribute something, at least to one soul.”

“These young orphans bare smiles and welcome you with open arms, often recognizing you by name, latching onto each one of us, looking for someone to hold onto, someone to play with, someone to hear them and someone to hug them. They have innocence in their eyes and warmth in the smiles, teaching us all a lesson to look back to our childhood, regain that honesty and sincerity in our every day interactions with the world today. I long that these children find parents and somewhere they can call home soon, however in the interim we will continue to visit BalVikas to touch the lives of those we can and make a difference ….. so can you!” says Pooja Vaswaney, e-Marketing Manager.

It was indeed pleasure to visit these kids and share a smile with them. We at The Westin Mumbai Garden City will continue to keep that smile alive on the face of innocent children of BalVikas and make these little individuals feel special on their birthdays.