Recently, they took a trip to Chinatown a few blocks north of the hotel which is located on Maiden Lane to visit PS 1, the oldest public school in New York City. Located on Henry Street, the school began in 1806 as an immigrant school, predating the establishment of New York City’s Board of Education.
Each quarter, the hotel staff chooses a special needs organization and work begins on helping out and raising money to help those in need.
Marketing director Michelle Tabi explains, “We were given the opportunity to meet the teachers and students and see what their school needs were and how they operate on a daily basis. We were so impressed with all of the schools initiatives and even got to sit in on a ballroom dancing class, with some of their students preparing for their upcoming competition. We also learned about their service club which engages in community outreach. The students being in need themselves (100% of them receive free lunch and 6% live in homeless shelters) actively recycle and utilized the funds raised to buy five turkeys for families in need this Thanksgiving. They are also currently advocating to save a community garden that is slated to be replaced with a high rise residential building.”
At a recent Holiday gathering at the hotel,the staff and guests were celebrating their second anniversary by hosting a fundraiser which netted $600, all of which was donated to PS1. Ms. Tabi said the school visit and the kids were fabulous and, “We are looking forward to hosting some of the students for a visit to RIWTC and a dual hot chocolate fundraiser this winter!”