Hilton Grand Vacations’ Contract Services Hawaii department has strengthened its workplace community through the annual Adopt A Family campaign, which began in 2016. This initiative supports local families in need, allowing team members to use their hospitality skills to make a meaningful impact in their community.
Arzel Ellazar, who became a supervisor in the department in 2016, took the lead on this project. He aimed to inspire his team to extend their hospitality expertise beyond the workplace. “I wanted to show them, outside of just the work that they do, they should grow and become better people and look around and see how else we can help the community,” Ellazar explained.
The Adopt A Family campaign, organized by Helping Hands Hawaii, resonated with Ellazar, who grew up in a low-income family in Kalihi, Honolulu. Reflecting on his childhood, he noted, “I came from a very frugal house. Things were tight.” This background motivated him to encourage his team to participate in the campaign, which allows donors to “adopt a family” and fulfill their wish lists.
Ellazar shared his enthusiasm with his colleagues, and the response was overwhelmingly positive. “I went out and signed up for Helping Hands and asked if anyone else wanted to join voluntarily,” he recalled. “It really just resonated, and everyone decided they wanted to pitch in.”
Making a Difference in the Community
The campaign aims to provide local families with gifts based on their specific needs, particularly during the festive season. Donors can either shop directly from a family’s wish list or contribute online to assist those who have not yet been matched with a donor. This year, the campaign is part of the Good Neighbor Fund holiday drive, which collaborates with the Honolulu Star-Advertiser and First Hawaiian Bank.
Traci Lum, who trains employees in the Contract Services department, reported that her team adopted two families this year. One of the families includes a grandmother and her grandson, with the grandmother only requesting items for her grandson. “We are going to get her something so she can be appreciated and recognized, too, for her work in taking care and stepping up,” Lum said.
The second family consists of a mother facing health challenges, who asked for cleaning supplies to maintain a tidy home. Lum noted that participation in the campaign has increased significantly this year, with her cubicle filled with items donated by colleagues over the past few weeks.
Personal Growth Through Giving
Participating in the Adopt A Family campaign has provided team members with more than just an opportunity to help others. Lum emphasized the personal growth it fosters, stating, “It’s very humbling; it makes you grateful for what you have. It really opens your mind and your eyes.”
Ellazar has observed how the campaign has deepened connections among employees. “You start to hear the more quiet team members speak up more about, ‘OK, why don’t we try to get them this?’ It kind of opened up that side of them,” he said. “It helped me, too. It helped our relationship.”
In his role as contracts manager, Ellazar remains committed to nurturing the team’s growth both professionally and personally. “We try to manage the team members to the standard of the Hilton values, but also we want them to grow to be better people,” he stated. “That’s the whole point. It’s not just growth within the office; it’s growth outside. I think that things like this, when the team bonds, it connects us.”
Although the donor registration period for the Adopt A Family initiative has ended, contributions can still be made online at helpinghandshawaii.org. There is no deadline for monetary donations, allowing funds to carry over to support families in need during next year’s holiday season. This ongoing commitment reflects the values of Hilton Grand Vacations and its dedication to community support and employee engagement.
