Grace Foundation Announces Donation to SOS Children's Villages Through 'Give With Grace' Initiative

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. December 21, 2015

December 21, 2015 - The Grace Foundation, through its 'Give with Grace' initiative, has made its first donation under its partnership with SOS Children's Villages, its designated charity. A total of $56,400 has been raised through the program in the first six months since its implementation in March this year. Under the program, set up by Grace Hotels and its sister group Aria Hotels as part of the charitable activities of the Grace Foundation, hotels donate $1 for every night a room is occupied and invite guests to do the same for each night they stay. Money is also raised through the sale of certain dishes on the menus and handcrafted sterling silver bracelets featuring the Give with Grace emblem.

The funds will be distributed to SOS Children's Villages around the world, with the principal aim of giving vulnerable children the opportunity to grow up in a loving home. The international, non-governmental organization works to strengthen families and prevent family breakdown, and works with communities and states to provide a loving and supportive family for each child who does not have one.

Marco Novella, Chief Operating Officer of Grace Hotels, said: “We are honored to offer this donation to SOS Children's Villages to help them continue their valuable work looking after children in need. We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to all our guests and business partners who have contributed to the program to raise this substantial amount in such a short space of time. We look forward to continuing more fundraising initiatives in 2016.”

The presentation took place at the SOS Children's Village in Athens on Universal Children's Day, a day dedicated to promoting the ideals and objectives of the Declaration of the Rights of the Child and the welfare of children around the world.

This donation follows the Grace Foundation's pledge of €1.2 million in April 2015 to two leading Greek charities - Hatzikyriakio Institution, one of the oldest childcare institutions in Greece, and public health institute, Prolepsis. The donation reflects the foundation's support for the country at a time of unparalleled economic and social strife. Further charitable support is offered on a continual basis through the donation of room nights and gifts, bringing the total amount donated to an estimated $2.5 million since the foundation's inception.

About The Grace Foundation

The Grace Foundation was established in 2013 with the aim of unifying the charitable initiatives of Grace Hotels and Aria Hotels, principally comprising the 'Give with Grace' programme under which hotels donate $1 (or the local currency equivalent) for every night that a room is occupied. Guests are invited to donate the same amount for every night they stay and the combined funds are donated to SOS Children's Villages which provide global family-based care, education and healthcare to vulnerable children. Learning and training opportunities for young people supported by SOS Children's Villages are also provided in participating hotels through a special internship programme. The foundation also raises substantial sums each year through the donation of gifts and auction lots for numerous charities and worthy causes.

Contact:

maggie porges
senior publicist
office: 212.924.3600
cell: 201.563.7948