BON Hotels, a South African-based hospitality company that owns, manages and markets hotels throughout Africa, has expanded on its CSR initiatives with the introduction of BONangels, a platform launched in South Africa and Namibia earlier this year which is now being rolled out to nine hotels across five cities in Nigeria, and hotels in Uganda and Ethiopia.
BONangels will facilitate charity drives, events and campaigns at all their properties, driving staff involvement at all levels in support of the community and those in need.
The aim of BONangels is to create a community of carers who speak, support and embody the goodwill of BON Hotels. The objectives include:
- adopting programs and strategies that contribute to communitie
- conserving environments
- reducing social problems
- education
- combining the efforts of staff at all levels
- encouraging participation and engagement on social media platforms
- promoting guest engagement and participation
- growing a community of ‘angels’.
CEO of BON Hotels Guy Stehlik says, “This strategy is in keeping with our ethos of Good people. Good thinking. Good feeling, and it is our aim to take care of the communities that service our hotels; to establish a society of guests and staff who want to do something good and give back.”
The first campaign was a shoe drive which enjoyed great success – guests, staff and members of the community were encouraged to drop off their new, used or unwanted shoes, all of which were donated to local schools, orphanages and charities in the area. This was followed by a blanket drive.
All BON Hotels will be actioning a book drive over the festive season with the emphasis on giving those less fortunate the gift of words and imagination. Guests, visitors and staff will be encouraged to drop off books in the donation bins at hotel reception through promotions on social media and in-house initiatives.
The properties have embraced this initiative wholeheartedly and Stehlik is confident that together the group, the staff, management and all who get involved can make a difference to their communities, the environment and to those in need.
He adds, “So go on, be an angel and join our network of good people!”
