As part of Marriott International Hotels "Spirit to Serve the Community" and JW Marriott Hotel Shanghai's Annual Charity Christmas Griffin Tree project, staff from the hotel celebrated the Lunar New Year holiday with children form a local hospital.

More than 20 staff and management from the hotel visited the Shanghai Children's Medical Centre to donate a total of 100 Christmas Griffin Bears to young patients in the Hematology/Oncology wards. Each charity Griffin Bear was purchased by hotel guests and corporate companies during the 2006 Christmas season, creating a Griffin Bear tree on the 38th Floor Lobby Lounge of JW Marriott Hotel Shanghai.

A donation ceremony was also held at the Department of Hematology/Oncology of the Shanghai Children's Medical Centre. Every child throughout the ward received a Griffin Bear as a holiday season gift.

Director of Communications of JW Marriott Hotel Shanghai Donna Campbell said, "We are delighted to be able to bring a smile to these young children, many of whom come from the country and have been in hospital for quite a few months away from their families. Our Griffin donation program allows us to help brighten up their day even if it is only for a short time. The donation of the toys brings together the hotels greatest assets — our staff and our guests — and gives us an opportunity to stop for a moment and think of those that are less fortunate than us."

The Griffin is the legendary creature featured in the logo of the JW Marriott Hotel brand. It has the head, beak and wings of an eagle, the body of a lion and the tail of a serpent or scorpion. The Griffin originated from the Middle East and was frequently used as guardians and as a symbol of protection.

"Some of our little patients from previous years have been looking forward to receiving the Griffin Bears since Christmas," said the director of Shanghai Children's Medical Centre Ms Ji Qing-Ying.

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