What does The Peninsula Chicago and Chicago Public Library Foundation Have in Common? Their Dedication to the Curious!
The Peninsula Chicago is synonymous to elegance, luxury, and exquisite five-star experience. At the heart of the multi-national hotel is a commitment to warm hospitality and being good neighbors. Since opening in Chicago in 2001, The Peninsula Chicago has woven philanthropic activities supporting education and literacy into its mission. This year, we are thrilled to announce that The Peninsula Chicago selected Chicago Public Library Foundation as one of their December non-profit partners.
Why literacy? For The Peninsula Hotel Chicago, it’s about staying true to their roots. “At the heart of the hotel industry are people – guests, employees, and stakeholders. This also extends to the community we are a part of,” says Jess Paro, E-commerce Manager of The Peninsula Chicago. And what better way to give back than advance vital learning programs for Chicago’s youth at Chicago Public Library.
“We understand how important the Library is in every neighborhood. Its impact is evident in every Chicago community.” – Jess Paro
Jess, herself, is an avid fan of the Library. “My friends and I started a book club, and the Library is our greatest resource,” she shares.
Afternoon Tea, Story Time and Giving Back
The Peninsula Chicago has festive surprises in store for guests and library patrons! “We cater to a lot of family travelers during the holiday season, so we see young guests in our hotel all the time. We try to think of ways to engage them and make sure they have a holiday experience to remember,” Jess explains. Hence, the creation of Stories from the Tree – a holiday reading activity where kids can follow the adventures of the Nutcracker, gingerbread man, and red-breasted robin as they travel around the world spreading holiday cheer. Children can even bring home their favorite Stories characters in the form of tree ornaments thanks to The Peninsula gift shop and spread their own holiday cheer as proceeds from ornament sales benefit lifelong learning at Chicago Public Library.
Because they understand that the first step to literacy is access, The Peninsula Chicago encourages guests to participate in donating new books to be distributed to families who need them. You can drop off your book donations at The Lobby Restaurant until the end of the year.
Afternoon Tea is another beloved holiday tradition at The Peninsula. Guests can enjoy a traditional tea menu that includes a delectable array of cakes, scones, custards, and other treats. Completing the magical experience is an ornate 20-ft Christmas tree decorated in vibrant hues of red and gold. A portion of the proceeds from Afternoon Tea also benefits Chicago Public Library.
The Peninsula Family gives back together
“Everyone – guests and employees alike – is excited to participate,” Jess shares. She continues, “The entire Peninsula family appreciates the idea of giving back to the community. It makes the holidays more meaningful.”
To that we say, “Thank you, Peninsula Hotel Chicago for your generosity and commitment to Chicago and to those who seek lifelong learning at Chicago Public Library.”
Take part in the festive holiday activities here.
Happy holidays!
