Saturday 2nd April was a BLUETIFUL night as Prestige Holdings Limited partnered with the Right Start for Autism Foundation to champion the cause of Autism Awareness across Trinidad. For the third consecutive year, selected restaurants from the Prestige Holdings Group glowed in effervescent blue, joining more than 142 countries in this global initiative to shine a light on autism.
For more than 40 years, Prestige Holdings has been “helping people taste happiness everyday”-words that reflect the Company’s mission. Brand titans under the Prestige Holdings portfolio. including KFC, Pizza Hut, TGI Fridays and Subway, all united to “light it up blue” on World Autism Awareness Day and the Company’s commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility has been evidenced by activations across an internal and external spectrum of awareness.
The official plug-in ceremony and lighting of the buildings was the final and pivotal element of the media launch, which the Company held at their TGI Fridays location in Port of Spain. Local celebrity Shurwayne Winchester and Chief Executive Officer of Prestige Holdings, Mr. Charles Pashley, executed the official plug-in for the lighting up blue of the selected restaurants. This year, Prestige Holdings’ Head Office on Sackville Street in Port of Spain was also illuminated to support the cause.
The media launch also featured performances by 3Canal, including their rendition of the heartily received song “Blue”. There was an invitation for all specially invited guests to participate in a puzzle formation with blue glow sticks. The iconic puzzle piece element is used universally to symbolise Autism.
One of co-founders for the Right Start Foundation, Mrs. Donnella Rodriguez-Laird, addressed the need for T&T to be sensitised to Autism Spectrum Disorder and its effects on individuals and families.
Prestige Holdings CEO Mr. Charles Pashley expressed his gratitude to the Right Start Foundation for their continued partnership. “Our group and our brands are delighted be a part of a very noble cause to create more awareness for Autism. It has been a cause that, over the years, has grown in terms of awareness but there is still a lot more that needs to be done.”
A donation of $15,000 was presented to the Right Start Foundation from Prestige Holdings to further assist families affected by Autism through therapy sessions and education.
The Company continues to embark on a platform of education for all of its customers across all brands through press releases, internal and external electronic screen advertisements, branded KFC boxes featuring the iconic puzzle piece and Autism Awareness pamphlets distributed at all locations during the month of April – the official month for Autism Awareness.
An official internal launch for Autism Awareness was also held for all employees of Prestige Holdings, including restaurant management staff, giving rise to the endorsement that education begins at home.
Many other local celebrities, including Bunji Garlin, David Rudder, Blaze, Smooth, Trevyin the Voice and Alicia the Duchess, have joined the Company to advocate for this cause by embarking on a joint social media campaign. Messages were posted and shared on Facebook and Instagram, using the hashtags #autismsowhat and #lightitupblue to raise awareness.
It is apparent that Prestige Holdings has solidified itself, from inception to present day, on a continuum of customer focus as a company that remains committed to impacting the lives of its customers positively.
To learn more about autism awareness visit Right Start for Autism on Facebook or autismspeaks.org.
