Inspired by how the resort has been mindfully built into the contours of the landscape, integrating sustainably with its environment, Marketing Manager and Charity Liaison, Anthea Vikis feels spirited in the same vein to action Columbia’s unique brand of hospitality with heart in alternative, far-reaching ways that transcend the bounds of the resort and guests’ immediate experience.
“Being a large organisation, we recognise our inherent power to make a meaningful difference,” Vikis explains. “Our impulse to help is truly heartfelt: we believe in championing sincere symbiosis, and we value being recognised as a beacon within the world of luxury hospitality as much as being recognised as a beacon of service and support.”
Gazing ahead to the New Year, Columbia is looking back at a collection of its most significant initiatives that came to fruition in 2023.
Blood Donations
Giving blood is one of the most immediate and profound ways that people can help those with medical needs, in many cases preserving and extending life.
Every year, Columbia spearheads two blood donation drives that take place in June and December respectively, with each occasion resulting in significant participation from staff.
Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Supporting the fighters, admiring the survivors and honouring the taken, Columbia called to action its staff members to ‘Wear it Pink’ on October 20th for a photoshoot dedicated to breast cancer awareness month, with particular support being lent to Europa Donna Cyprus’ efforts and endeavours.
The Anti-Cancer Society
Columbia also works closely with The Cyprus Anti-Cancer Society, which cares for people with cancer, providing them with palliative care services, as well as supporting their families and caregivers, and informing the wider public about cancer prevention, diagnosis, treatment and relief.
In supporting this local charity, guests are given the option of donating €5 at the end of their stay, or – indeed – making a larger donation should they choose.
Movember
Focusing its attention on men’s health, Columbia’s staff members grew their moustaches to represent men’s physical health and vitality, and advocated for men’s mental health, with a sizeable donation given to the Movember Cyprus charity.
Children and Families
Every year, Columbia Beach Resort sponsors The Dancing Queen Foundation’s “Don’t Drink and Drive” Walk., along with providing vouchers for their annual theme party. The Dancing Queen Foundation is a non-profit organisation established in honour of the late Dr Yiota Demetriou, a schoolmate of Anthea’s, with a mission of positively impacting the lives of children and teenagers, making a difference in their quality of life and psychological well-being.
Each year in Cyprus, the ‘Heart Day’ initiative comes to fruition in support of the child development centre, ‘To Alma’, which provides childhood intervention services and supports families of children with diagnosed disabilities. This year, local charity Learning Refuge – has been tasked with mosaicking Columbia’s heart.
Finally, each Christmas, Columbia contributes presents and food to the children aided by Limassol’s ‘Paidiki Stegi’ (Children’s Home), even organising a magician show last year to bring a little extra joy and laughter.
Donations
Further to donating sheets, towels, pillows, blankets and duvets, as well as crockery to a variety of local charities every year (including Archangel Michaels Hospice, Caritas, The Learning Refuge, and various animal shelters), and making significant food donations to Friendship Circle, Columbia has recently launched a new initiative, whereby guests who want to lighten their load when returning home have the option of donating their unwanted items, which Columbia will distribute accordingly to the collection of charities with which it works.
Additional Ongoing Initiatives
Now fully integrated within Columbia’s DNA, and inextricable from its identity, the resort continues to nourish and nurture a collection of important projects and initiatives, including the Columbia Cat Care Project, being a member of SLH’s Considerate Collection and the first-ever Resort worldwide to be a part of Hidden Disabilities Sunflower network, as well as honouring the conditions of its Green Key Award, and embracing a unique ecological solution for bottled water by partnering with Minoa’s plant-based packaging.