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Besides being inundated with celestial music and mouth-watering food, concert guests and Hilton management donate record amount toward C4C’s programs for socially disadvantaged children.

C4C and Prague’s Hilton Hotels look back on many years of fruitful and meaningful cooperation when it comes to helping children in need and at risk. Corporate Social Responsibility is not a term being taken lightly by the prestigious Hotel chain. Their sustained involvement with various high-profile charitable causes over the years goes to prove that point explicitly. But when it comes to the annual C4C/Hilton Christmas Charity Concert, traditionally featuring the renowned Czech National Symphonic Orchestra, the Hotel’s management usually goes all out and over the top to make this the event of the year for those attending.

And so it was this year! Notably, this time around, the concert was being held in the Grand Ball Room of the Hilton, rather than in previous years in the Congress Hall.  And as the concert got underway, the orchestra played to a captive audience of hundreds of Prague’s socialites and movers and shakers, easily filling the plush venue to the last seat.

 “It’s such a wonderful and Christmassy event”, comments Dr. Erwin Hanslik, current president of the Prague Rotary Club Bohemia and branch manager of ENWC Attorneys at Law office in Prague. “The music was heavenly and really brought home the message of Christmas. And the food was simply too delicious to pass up”, he added with a smile. “It was an all around, formidable evening!”

The evening was further enhanced by a guest appearance of the international female choir “Viva Voce”, singing Christmas carols and favorites and taking advantage of the excellent acoustics of the ball room.

To make a good evening even better, as every year, the Hilton’s internationally acclaimed chefs had prepared a spread of seasonal delicacies and treats worth remembering. From fine wines, carved meats to delicious deserts, the lavish buffet left little to be desired and contributed tremendously to enhance the already prevailing Christmas spirit.  

And even though there is a global economic crisis looming, and purse strings in general tend to be tighter than ever, the evening’s revenue for children in need and C4C’s programs literally went through the roof with donations topping CZK 150.000! Michael Specking, cluster manager for both Prague Hilton hotels, presented C4C’s founder and chairman, Manfred Franke, onstage with a check over CZK 100.000, doubling the Hilton’s contribution over last year’s. Visibly moved, C4C’s founder remarked: “Michael, after six years, our cooperation is still getting better and better by the year. On behalf of C4C’s constituency, namely children less fortunate than others, thank you so very much!”

And so a perfect evening came to its conclusion, proving that even during economic hardships generosity can still prevail, and that true social responsibility can still be practiced, even in times of uncertainty and change.

C4C receiving generous check from Hilton management

The Czech National Symphonic Orchestra playing to a captive audience

International female choir 'Viva Voce'

Sharing a light moment: Manfred Franke and Mrs. Specking, spouse of Hilton cluster manager Michael Specking

The string section, up close and personal

Toasting to a successful evening: Manfred Franke & Michael Specking