Photo courtesy of Thinkstock
The Pulse: Protravel to spread holiday cheer at New York City hospital,
Why It Rates: It's heartening to see successful travel companies giving back during the holidays. And this is not the first time Protravel has embarked on charitable missions over the holidays. It's something the company's been doing for 30 years. - Claudette Covey, TravelPulse travel agents editor
This holiday season, over 400 children with a variety of illnesses - who are patients at New York City's Mount Sinai Beth Israel Hospital and the Children's Brain Tumor Foundation - will enjoy some much- needed cheer when Protravel International once again hosts a special Dec. 7 holiday party for them, along with their families and caregivers. Throughout the past 30 years, Protravel has mobilized a growing team of volunteers - now numbering 90 - to organize the annual holiday party for the young patients.
Each year, Protravel's event provides three to four gifts for each child, along with food and beverages sponsored by Protravel's hotel partners. Party activities include arts and crafts, face painting, games, lessons in Taekwondo and yo-yoing. The event is capped off with an appearance by Santa Claus, who'll be on hand to listen to each child's dearest wish for the festive season.
"Rather than engage in a meaningless 'Secret Santa' gift exchange among Protravel employees, we aspired to something loftier. Then we had a masterstroke of an idea - doing something truly special for children who are suffering from different diseases," said Andy Pesky, senior vice president of leisure sales & marketing for Protravel International. "We began orchestrating an event that could spread true holiday cheer, including giving gifts to each child, organizing games and offering food and beverages. Over the last 30 years, this event has transformed into a rewarding festivity for each child to enjoy and maybe forget their illness for a few hours."
"Andy Pesky has made the seemingly impossible happen and has raised over $18,000 each year," said Patrick Fragale, president of Protravel International. "Over the years, with the help of Protravel volunteers and dear industry friends, the event grew and moved to the Mount Sinai Beth Israel Phillips Ambulatory Care Center in Union Square. In 2003, Protravel teamed up with the Children's Brain Tumor Foundation to bring their children to the annual holiday party. Now, over 400 children and their siblings come together to enjoy a pleasant time with games, gifts and a visit from Santa Claus."
"Most of the work - 90 percent of preparing, entertaining, organizing, wrapping and decorating - is done by all our wonderful Protravel helpers. Our employees volunteer to sort and wrap the gifts according to age and gender of the attending children, but we also use their talents to delight the children with face painting, magic shows and lessons on Taekwondo and yoyos," said Pesky. "But the most precious gift Protravel's volunteers give the children is the chance to meet Santa and his elves in 'Toyland.'"
Doors open to all invited children and their families at 12 p.m. on Dec. 7.
SOURCE: Protravel International press release
For the latest travel news, updates and deals, subscribe to the daily TravelPulse newsletter.
Topics From This Article to Explore
