Hilton Shanghai's Christmas Train Charity project is well underway for the seventh consecutive year.

The unveiling of the Christmas Train winter village and lighting of the Christmas Tree was held on December 7 at the hotel lobby to mark the Yuletide festivities at the Hilton Shanghai.

More than 2000 sponsors along with representatives of Shanghai Sunrise and ORBIS China, the charity beneficiaries, attended the cocktail reception.

An 83-square meter model winter village is constructed in the hotel lobby by a team of international engineers and artists. Corporate sponsors' lend their support to this traditional charity drive by having their company names and logos placed on customized trains, boxcars, hot air balloons, airplanes, bridges, tunnels and billboards.

Irish engineer Gerry MC Elliott, who has designed 24 winter villages around the world in the past 25 years, is the designer of the Hilton Shanghai's Winter Village. Sponsorship proceeds support Shanghai Sunrise and ORBIS International, to fund education programs for underprivileged children and help impoverished elders to remove cataract.

"We have enjoyed tremendous support from the community since starting the Christmas Train Charity project six years ago," said Volkmar Ruebel, the General Manager of Hilton Shanghai. "We have been continually sponsoring Shanghai Sunrise for 11 years and funding six children for schooling. Last year, we joined forces with Jing An Tourism Bureau and ORBIS International to offer eye care services to the elders. It is our good fortune to bring the Christmas spirit to those less fortunate."