The Ritz-Carlton Hotels Of Asia Set To Change More Lives With A Million Dollar Smile

HONG KONG, April 29, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- The Ritz-Carlton hotels of Asia Pacific are set to hit a new milestone this week for Smile Asia – a global alliance of independent charities, as it launches its third regional fundraiser program which will bring total funds raised to over US$1 million. Smile Asia Week runs from May 2 to 8 and sees specially-crafted cakes sold to raise funds for the international medical charity which provides children with cleft lips or palates a reason to smile again.

All 24 Ritz-Carlton hotels in Asia-Pacific are participating with over 10,000 ladies and gentlemen lending their skills and passion to their community and guests. Each pastry chef has lovingly crafting his own variation on the Smile Asia Week signature cake which features the universally popular flavours of chocolate and banana. All cakes are sold exclusively through the website www.smileasiaweek.org. Customers from around the world can also arrange for cakes to be delivered to their loved ones and friends in Asia to celebrate a special occasion such as an anniversary or birthday and even Mother's Day on May 8.

All proceeds go directly to the charity and will be used to send medical volunteers on surgical missions across Asia. This year, The Ritz-Carlton enhanced its collaborative program to celebrate the spirit of giving. These include collaborations with local schools, the creation of a First Class Smile Card which gives everyone a chance to thank and recognise the role they play in restoring a smile in the workplace and for the children supported by Smile Asia.

Volunteer ladies and gentlemen from The Ritz-Carlton are also participating in mission trips to remote locations in seven Asian countries to see firsthand how affected children have had their smiles restored. The volunteer work includes setting up the mobile surgery stations, patient registrations and numerous tasks to aid the success of each Smile Asia mission.

"The Ritz-Carlton has always had a cornerstone guiding principle of striving to make a difference in the communities where we operate. Smile Asia Week is an annual signature event and just one way our ladies and gentlemen proudly share their skills and knowledge to lift up communities in Asia and inspire our guests to join us in this sustainable effort," said Victor Clavell, Vice President – Asia-Pacific. "I am delighted that Smile Asia is able to change so many lives with our contribution."

Funds raised in the previous two years totaled US$790,000 to support almost 1,000 surgeries and the contribution in 2016 is expected to be even higher, bringing the total funds raised in three years to over US$1 million.

About Smile Asia

Smile Asia® is global alliance of independent charities that offer free surgeries to children with facial deformities, including cleft lip and palate. It has activities in 19 countries and program delivery in 13 Asian countries. Till date, the charities under Smile Asia have delivered over 60,000* surgeries combined.

Smile Asia® is represented by The Smile Mission (TSM) as its international Secretariat. It is a Singapore-registered charity that creates platform for medical volunteers to cross-train and provides free surgery and treatment to children with facial deformities. Since 2008, it contributed to 6,506* free surgeries for children and young adults born with facial deformities.
*Figures correct as at 31 Dec 2015

About Community Footprints
With a commitment to "Expand Global Citizenship," The Ritz-Carlton social and environmental responsibility program, Community Footprints, is embedded into the company's service values, long-range plan and business operations. This commitment is focused on children's well-being, environmental responsibility and hunger and poverty relief. For more information, visit http://www.ritzcarlton.com/en/community-footprints, or follow The Ritz-Carlton Community Footprints on Twitter: www.twitter.com/RitzCarltonCSR.

About The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C.
The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C., of Chevy Chase, Md., currently operates more than 90 hotels in the Americas, Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and the Caribbean. The Ritz-Carlton is the only service company to have twice earned the prestigious Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award, an award that originated in 1987. Its purpose is to promote the awareness of quality excellence, recognize quality achievements of companies and publicize successful quality strategies. The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company won the award in 1992 and 1999. For more information, or reservations, contact a travel professional, call toll free in the U.S. 1-800-241-3333 or visit the company web site at www.ritzcarlton.com. The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR)

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SOURCE The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C.

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