AccorHotels celebrates its 10th year of community outreach in Singapore by supporting Central Singapore Community Development Council’s (CSCDC’s) Silver Outings Programme with Guest-of-Honour Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong, Mayor of Central Singapore District Denise Phua and 280 seniors at AccorHotels’ newest hotel, Novotel Singapore on Stevens. The seniors were treated to a sumptuous lunch and also received red packets ahead of the festive season.(from left) AccorHotels Asia Pacific Chairman & CEO Michael Issenberg presenting the cheque donation to Ms Denise Phua, Mayor of Central Singapore District, with Guest-of-Honour Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong looking on.

“Throughout AccorHotels’ 50-year history, giving back to the local community has always been an important part of our business and culture,” said AccorHotels Asia Pacific Chairman & CEO Michael Issenberg. “Solidarity Week is a very special event for AccorHotels and we are privileged to have the pioneers of Singapore join us in our celebrations.

“While Solidarity Week celebrates its 12th year of giving back globally, in Singapore the 10-year-old initiative underscores our commitment to sustained community and corporate giving as Singapore’s largest hotel operator. We look forward to many more years of partnering Central Singapore Community Development Council in giving back to the people of Singapore.”Through this partnership, more than 400 beneficiaries have received financial assistance from AccorHotels and its properties over the last year. These beneficiaries are seniors under CDC’s Silver Outings programme – a volunteer-driven initiative to bring immobile seniors on regular outings to local places of interest. They have since visited attractions such as Chinatown Heritage Centre, Gardens by the Bay and S.E.A. Aquarium.

One such beneficiary is 70-year-old Mr Ong Ah Eng, who was able to visit the River Safari for the first time under the Silver Outings programme. Mr Ong experiences frequent pain in his legs and is often left at home as his children are kept busy with work. With the help of volunteers under the programme, he was able to interact with other seniors, make new friends, and also visit a new place.

 “I am very happy to be able to participate in the Silver Outings programme,” said Mr Ong. “The volunteers took good care of us. I could talk to the other seniors, and also had an opportunity to see animals and pandas and monkeys.”Said Ms Denise Phua, Mayor of Central Singapore District: “The Central Singapore District is home to the largest number of rental flats and seniors. We want to help these seniors live a better life in terms of physical and social-emotional wellness, but we cannot do it alone. That’s where the valuable and sustainable support of partners like AccorHotels comes in. Their generosity and love have enabled many of our immobile seniors to see the world beyond their home through our Silver Outings programme, and to form meaningful friendships with others. We are thankful for the ten years of partnership in doing good, and look forward to many more years to come.”Solidarity Day was first initiated in Singapore in 2008 by Accor Asia Pacific, Grand Mercure Singapore Roxy, Novotel Singapore Clarke Quay and ibis Singapore on Bencoolen. Since then AccorHotels and has raised $103,403.50 (from 2008 to 2016) in support of the local community through Solidarity Day. This year, over 2,600 staff from AccorHotels Singapore came together to raise over $30,000 in the last four months through fund-raising activities.