Marriott Business Council Celebrated 10 Years of “Road to Give” in Sri Lanka: Empowering Communities Through Movement

Elton Hurtis – General Manager of Courtyard by Marriott Colombo, Mano Gunasekera – General Manager of Sheraton Kosgoda Turtle Beach Resort, Sujeet Kumar – General Manager of ITC Ratnadipa, Colombo, Rahul Maini – Co-Chair of the Marriott Business Council, General Manager of Sheraton Colombo Hotel, Dr. Lanka Jayasuriya Dissanayake – Chairperson of the Indira Cancer Trust and other representatives of Indira Cancer Trust.

13th October 2024: As part of the Marriott Business Council, Sheraton Colombo, ITC Ratnadipa, Sheraton Kosgoda Turtle Beach Resort, and Courtyard by Marriott Colombo proudly commemorated the 10th anniversary of “Road to Give,” a transformative initiative that united Marriott associates in a shared mission to run, walk, ride and move for charitable causes. This significant milestone not only celebrated a decade of extraordinary achievements but also underscored the profound and lasting impact we have made within our communities.

Since its inception, “Road to Give” has redefined how our associates engage with their surroundings, turning physical activity into a powerful catalyst for positive change. In this remarkable show of solidarity, approximately 9,000 to 10,000 associates from India, Nepal, Bhutan and Sri Lanka participated across a diverse array of activities like runs, group walks, cycling events and wellness challenges—all meticulously designed to raise funds for critical community needs. Our target for this year was to raise donations to provide breast prostheses and hair wigs to Indira Cancer Trust (NGO located in Colombo, Sri Lanka that improves the quality of life of patients affected by cancer through systematic and a comprehensive range of support services for the patients and their caregivers), further amplifying our commitment to support essential areas such as healthcare and social welfare.

Over the past decade, “Road to Give” emerged as a cornerstone of Marriott’s commitment to social responsibility, mobilizing thousands of associates and creating a remarkable ripple effect of kindness and support throughout our communities. The initiative successfully raised substantial funds for various causes, empowering charities to expand their services and reach more individuals. Through the collective efforts of our associates, countless lives were positively impacted, contributing to the overall betterment of society.

“Ten years of ‘Road to Give’ stands as a remarkable achievement, reflecting our associates’ unwavering commitment to service and community engagement,” stated Rahul Maini, Co-Chair – Marriott Business Council. “This initiative not only fostered teamwork and camaraderie among our associates but also strengthened our deep-rooted ties to the communities we serve. As we celebrated this milestone, we looked ahead with excitement and determination to continue our journey of making meaningful changes together.”

Associates, partners and the broader communities, joined Sheraton Colombo, ITC Ratnadipa, Sheraton Kosgoda Turtle Beach Resort, and Courtyard by Marriott Colombo in honor of this special 10 years completion. Each individual’s involvement was crucial, whether they participated in the walk, cheered on our associates or made a generous donation, all supported this worthy cause. Together, we inspired change and fostered a culture of giving that truly embodied the spirit of “Road to Give.”

As we commenced this observance, we remained mindful that every step taken, every mile run and every penny raised contributed to a brighter future for our communities. By participating in “Road to Give,” our associates not only promoted health and fitness but also cultivated a profound sense of community and responsibility that extended well beyond our workplace.