The Box Appeal - a charity campaign that aims to help those less privileged – is being launched for the first time in Oman. Initiated in 2007, this is the first time Radisson Blu and Park Inn hotels in Muscat will take part in this successful charity campaign. The two hotels aim to fill 1,000 boxes collectively, helping to ensure this is the most successful edition of the appeal to date.

The Box Appeal asks people to give back to those who need it most by filling a small box with a list of everyday items such as toothpaste, toothbrush, comb, towel, body soap etc. To take part, all the participants have to do is pick up a box from the Radisson Blu or Park Inn Hotels or from the appeal’s partners, City Centre Muscat or Qurum City Centre, fill the box with the requested items and return to the distribution point.

The hotels in Oman will be joined by other Radisson Blu and Park Inn hotels in the UAE, Cairo and Bahrain. Overall 13 hotels will take part aiming to collect over 10,000 boxes as they hope to reach out to more people than ever before.

The Radisson Blu and Park Inn hotels in Oman have partnered with local charity Dar Al Atta who will help distribute the boxes at the end of the campaign to families and individuals most in need. In addition, many local companies have pledged their support to The Box Appeal in an astonishing show of community spirit.

Premium printing company Mazoon Printing, Publishing and Advertising have supplied the boxes and collaterals to promote the campaign. Creative Communications Advertising and Marketing will help raise awareness of the campaign in the media. The boxes will be prominently displayed at Muscat City Centre and Qurum City Centre for easy access and convenience of the visitors. Newly launched radio station Merge 104.8 will promote the campaign on air by encouraging listeners to actively participate, and finally the logistics and the delivery of the boxes during and at the end of the campaign will be handled by DHL Express.

The appeal was originally launched by the Radisson Blu Dubai Media City. The Box Appeal’s growing success in Dubai has meant that in 2011 the decision was made to take the campaign region wide. Due to the growth of the campaign, the appeal has been given a new look and brand by UAE based design agency North55. The creative agency designed a new logo that captures the essence of the appeal, giving it a unique identity.

Rabih Zein, the recently appointed General Manager of Park Inn Muscat stated, “We are pleased to launch The Box Appeal in Oman for the first time and thank our partners who have lent their support to the initiative. We now encourage people across Oman to come forward and collect, fill and return these boxes in the true spirit of giving. Most of us hardly give a thought to these everyday commodities but the boxes will make a difference to someone for who even the basics count as luxuries.”

“There are so many opportunities to give back to the community during the month of Ramadan. We hope the simplicity of The Box Appeal campaign will draw the attention of the public. Anyone can do this – it is so easy to get involved and contribute,” added Michael Jacobi, General Manager of Radisson Blu Muscat.

“As a company we have a long history of responsible business. It seems fitting to take this campaign region wide this year and help as many people as possible. It only takes a little time and effort to make a big difference,” concluded Marko Hytonen, Area Vice President, Rezidor Hotel Group.

The first campaign in 2007 was such a success that in the following years Radisson Blu and Park Inn Hotels in Abu Dhabi Yas Island also joined in. Over the four years the appeal has run, more than 20,000 boxes have been donated, the equivalent of 2 million AED.

Radisson Blu and Park Inn Hotels are managed by Rezidor Hotel Group. Rezidor was one of the first international hotel groups to implement a company-wide initiative focusing on health and safety for guests and employees, on respect for social and ethical issues within the company, and on a reduced negative impact on the environment. In 2010 and 2011, Rezidor was named as one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies.

This year’s Box Appeal will run between the 15th of August and the 15th of September in UAE, Bahrain, Cairo and Oman. For additional information, please visit facebook.com/theboxappeal