PORT DICKSON: Hotel operator Lexis Hibiscus recently created another record of sorts, by constructing and lighting up the tallest Christmas tree replica in the state, in the run-up of the festivity tomorrow.
Assistant director of communications Jini Sebastian said the Christmas tree lighting ceremony has become one of the hotel’s highly anticipated events of the year – and for this year, the hotel celebrated such event with a group of children from Pertubuhan Kebajikan Kanak-Kanak Yatim & Miskin Wawasan Port Dickson.
“Christmas is essentially a time of goodwill, and Lexis Hotel Group chooses to give back to those less fortunate,” Jini said, adding that 38 children aged four to 19 from the foster home witnessed the tree lighting outside the lobby, with hotel staff singing Christmas carols.
The lush green tree, made from galvanized steel, is 78.7 feet tall and 29.5 feet in diameter.
Adorned with 10,000 baubles and 69,000 led lights, the Christmas tree replica took more than 400 man-hours to assemble.
Concurring, Lexis Hotel Group president Mandy Chew Siok Cheng said, “Christmas is a time of love and giving, and we are glad to be able to share some festive joy with the children”. Chew presented a mock cheque to the home’s founders Rev Paul Jagatheesan and Rev Paul Katherine, as part of the hotel’s charitable contributions.
Prior to the Christmas tree lighting and subsequent charity dinner, the children were treated to fun and games at the Water JPark by the hotel’s recreational staff, including an 8-metre high Super Slider, Spinner, Iceberg and Mini Slider.
“It’s my first time playing a giant slider with my friends and it was a wonderful splashing time experience,” said seven-year old Michelle.
The evening also saw Santa Claus making a surprise appearance, giving away Christmas cookies and gingerbread man to the children. Adding to the merriment, the children also staged a dance performance and Christmas caroling.
The night wrapped up with a dance performance by the hotel’s sports and recreational team and a group photography session with the children.
Lexis Hibiscus Port Dickson is a Guinness World Record holder of a resort with the most swimming pools and over-water villas, while Pertubuhan Kebajikan Kanak-Kanak Yatim & Miskin Wawasan Port Dickson is a privately funded welfare organization founded in 2007 for children from poor and dysfunction families, as well as those with single parents.