0 Bringing broader smiles to cleft lip children

Hard Rock Hotel Bali handed over to the Rotary Club Foundation a Rp 250 million (US$25,800) donation to cover the expense of surgery for underprivileged children with cleft lips at Yayasan Senyum (Smiles Foundation). The sum was raised during a Rock and Run charity event in October, as well as from T-shirt sales and the auctioning of hotel vouchers. “We hope to help underprivileged children with cleft lips to be able to smile,” Hard Rock Hotel Bali assistant marketing communication manager Fandy Lo told a press conference in Kuta on Friday. 

Four Balinese children with cleft lips will have the fortunate experience of undergoing the surgery, performed by doctors in Bali-based hospitals. The 2012 Rock and Run, an annual event in its 12th year, saw funds donated for the second time to help children with cleft lips. The event, which took place on Oct. 28, saw around 700 participants from Surabaya, Jakarta, Bali, Australia and Singapore, almost double the numbers of participants in 2011, when around 400 people joined the run. 

“They come from various backgrounds, some were our hotel guests, others were expatriates living in Bali,” said Fandy. The 5-kilometer run started in front of the hotel on Jl. Pantai Kuta, continued on to Jl. Melasti, Jl. Legian and returned back to Jl. Pantai Kuta. Winners in the men’s category were Samgar (champion), Thomas (second place) and Marchel Samora (third place). Meanwhile, in the women’s category, first place went to Ni Kadek Ayu Sukamti, in second place was Lolani Brown and in third place was Kathleen O’Brien. 

In the couple’s category, the winners were Lorraine and Sony, while in second were Karla and Jaxon. Rotary Club membership chairperson Doris A. Sommer praised the Rock and Run charity event for successfully attracting many people to show their care for underprivileged children. “Rock and Run had over 700 participants last year. People are very enthusiastic to participate,” she said. In 2011, Hard Rock Hotel Bali’s Rock and Run event and T-shirt sales successfully raised Rp 150 million for children with cleft lip. 

Around 2,000 T-shirts were sold in 2012, double the amount in 2011. The Hard Rock Hotel Bali’s other social welfare activities also include invitations for orphan children to play and dine in the hotel’s establishment.

source : bali daily