Hilton Petaling Jaya launches Christmas Train

The Hilton Petaling Jaya has launched its annual charity project, the Hilton Christmas Train. The impressive display built in conjunction with the University Collage Sedaya International is themed “Chronicles of Christmas Through Time and Place”, and  aims to raise more than RM180,000 for orphanages in Malaysia.

Stretching across the hotel lobby, the Hilton Christmas Train is set on a 58 sqm landscape, which is filled with models of bustling roads, cozy homes and busy shops. Its main feature is a series of G-scale trains that wind through this wonderland with scenes of British colonial architecture, modern-day skyscrapers and villages. A typical G-scale model is 22.5 times smaller than the actual train it represents.

For the first time, Hilton Petaling Jaya is working with around 20 lecturers and students of the School of Architecture & Built Environment at University College Sedaya International (UCSI) to design and assemble the Hilton Christmas Train. The full-scale model will be displayed from 6 December 2008 to 10 January 2009.

“The Hilton Christmas Train is an ideal community relations and charity project. It brings together different parties, from corporate clients, the public and partners, to raise funds for the underprivileged.” said Hilton Petaling Jaya General Manager, Luc Bollen. “It has also become an excellent platform to nurture young talents with the involvement of students in conceptualizing and assembling the train display. We are certainly delighted to have UCSI to join us this year and look forward to their awesome work. This is set to be one of the most exciting public Christmas displays.”

Associate Professor (AP) Chin Peng Kit, Deputy Vice Chancellor of UCSI, said that the Hilton Christmas Train is the school’s main charity project this year.

“Our students and staff are very enthusiastic in undertaking this project. It allows students to gain a real-life experience in planning, designing and eventually building a workable train model of significant size and complexity. The process also encourages students to test their creative limits and put what they have learned in class into practice,” Chin said.

The net proceeds raised from the Hilton Christmas Train will go towards supporting a children’s education fund for 25 Malaysian orphanages. The money will also contribute to a celebration for 500 children at the hotel’s ballroom on 6 December 2008.

Companies that have confirmed their participation include Nestle, BMW Malaysia, Coffex Coffee, F&N Coca-Cola, Carlsberg Marketing, Perodua, Digi Telecommunications, Siemens Malaysia, Munchy Food, The New Straits Times, EON UK, Goodyear Malaysia and Hilton Colombo Residence.

“Other than corporate sponsorship, we are also inviting our guests to raise funds together. RM1 is added to every food and beverage cheque and RM2 per night’s stay. For every RM3,500 raised, a wagon will be dedicated under the name of ‘With the Support of Hilton Petaling Jaya guests’,” Mr Bollen said.

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