Hilton Teams Up With Bronx Kids To Aid Sandy Victims

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A team of volunteers from the Hilton hotel brand in New York City visited a public school in the Bronx Thursday to help teach kids how to give back after Hurricane Sandy. NY1's Valarie D’Elia filed the following report.

As part of the first annual Hilton Worldwide Global Week of Service, more than 50 Hilton New York City hotel employees, partnering with New York Cares, joined elementary school students in the Bronx to teach the importance of volunteerism.

"We're here at PS57 today to work with the students and really give back and help them understand what it means to be part of the community and what it means to be part of the world," said Travis Diem of Hilton Worldwide.

One timely hands-on project targeted Sandy survivors in shelters needing essential items such as toothpaste, shampoo and lotions.

"Hilton is donating their hygiene products, to create hygiene kits for victims of Hurricane Sandy," said Joshua Winata of New York Cares.

Curtis Easley's fifth grade class used their artistic skills to send out messages of hope on the blank canvas of a tote bag designed to carry the donated goods.

"Giving is really it sounds cliche but better than receiving. It's better to give than to receive," Easley said.

"I wanted to make sure that everybody can remember all the happy times that happened before Sandy so I wanted to make sure I did something good so I did this," said one student.

"I'm making this bag and I'm decorating it and I'm going to put supplies and for the next storm maybe they can store it," said another student.

After its Global Week of Service, Hilton turns its attention from helping to the holidays, the busiest season of the year for the hotel group.

"It's not going to be a festive holiday season for every New Yorker but for many guests coming in, we're open," said Hilton New York General Manager Mark Lauer.

As is common practice in the travel industry, Travel With Val often receives complimentary travel or reduced "media" rates at hotels, resorts and attractions, including those that may be featured in these reports. Such consideration is not taken in exchange for any express or implied promise or understanding of any nature, particularly regarding the content of these reports. These reports only feature travel providers personally recommended by Valarie D’Elia in the exercise of her independent editorial judgment, and do not represent the endorsement of Time Warner Cable or any third party.