Whatever It Takes Shop and Draw for Hope hosted by Doha Marriott

Feb. 20, 2010 - PRLog -- This Friday and Saturday February 26-27 the Doha Marriott is hosting a Whatever It Takes Shop and Draw for hope event in the main lobby. All of the unique merchandise for sale at this event features original artwork donated to Whatever It Takes—products include watches with artwork by Pierce Brosnan, John Travolta and Samuel L. Jackson; t-shirts with the artwork of musicians Amy Winehouse, Barry Manilow, Suggs and Joss Stone; and a variety of totes and wallets with the artwork of Kanye West, Lucy Liu and David Bowie; the prices start at just 50QR (13USD). After a pass through, shoppers are encouraged to enjoy the Doha Marriott’s lavish weekend brunch that offers an array of cuisines featuring stations from the restaurants Asia Live!, Corniche, All' Aperto, Taj Rasoi, Salsa and special treat, cakes featuring Whatever It Takes Celebrity Symbols of Hope. In addition to shopping and dining, kids are invited to draw their own Symbols of Hope for the 21st Century or be entertained in the Doha Marriott’s kids club.

Established in 2003 21st Century Leaders Foundation’s mission is to assist and encourage a generation of influencers to raise awareness and funds for international development causes, thereby leading the way in promoting positive environmental and sustainable human development solutions. The first step of becoming a 21st Century Leader requires each celebrity to create a custom artwork with a message of hope and self-portrait. This original artwork is then developed into eco-friendly and ethically traded lifestyle products such as t-shirts, mugs, iPod covers, watches, alarm clocks, tote bags and other fashion items.

Whatever It Takes products are sold at retail outlets throughout Europe, North America and Australia and their sale has raised over 11 million Qatari Riyals (3,000,000 USD) since its launch five years ago; the money is used to support more than 50 charities including those nominated by the celebrity leaders.

However, this unique sale completely staffed by volunteers, will send all its proceeds to Twilight Children in Hillbrow, Johannesburg, South Africa. Twilight Children, established in 1983, provides support to boys aged 8–18 years who are living on the streets and other public places without adequate or apparent adult or family support. The counselors at Twilight determine the boy’s family circumstances and to encourage him to return to the care of family or guardian. In cases where boys are unable or unwilling to return home Twilight cares for boys’ physical, emotional, educational, health and developmental needs while giving him refuge from the streets in their shelter. For the older boys, Twilight Children provides vocational counseling and guidance as well as suitable training in basic life skills as well as assistance in finding secure employment and assistance in setting them up in alternative accommodation where they can become independent, productive citizens, in the community.

In addition to the services for the boys, Twilight Children runs a nutritional outreach program serving life-sustaining meals five days a week to 150-200 homeless members of the Hillbrow community each day. Recently, Twilight created an in house bakery to: teach the older boys a new skill; eliminate the monthly cost of purchasing bread for the center (approximately 3000 USD/month); and create an additional income generating channel for the center by selling the loaves and sweets to community stores. This sale will help develop the bakery program.

The Doha Marriott social responsibility and community engagement program not only benefits the local community, but strengthens the global culture, helps attract and retain valued associates, and provides a work/life balance as well as personal development opportunities. Like Marriott International, Doha Marriott leverages the brand and message “Spirit To Serve Our Communities,” to get alignment and “one voice” for their signature issues —Shelter and Food, Environment, Readiness for Hotel Careers, Vitality of Children and Embracing Diversity and People with Disabilities.

For more details on the sale or Twilight Children visit the Official Whatever It Takes Facebook Page at http://www.facebook.com/WhateverItTakes.org for more information on Marriott International’s Spirit to Serve please visit the Marriott Website   http://www.marriott.com/corporateinfo/culture/coreValues.mi

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Founded by Charlotte di Vita in 2003 when she was appointed Goodwill Ambassador to the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund. The 21st Century Leaders Foundation aims to leverage the influence of leaders in their field and popular culture to cause positive change. 21st Century Leaders Foundation’s mission is to assist and encourage a generation of influencers – royalty, Nobel peace prize laureates, and well-known figures in the fields of film, music, fashion, art and literature - to raise awareness and funds for international development causes, thereby leading the way in promoting positive environmental and sustainable human development solutions.