Corporate bits | MGM and Pansy Ho contribute MOP30m to recovery operations

A collaborative pledge of MOP30 million has been allocated to “rebuild Macau following Typhoon Hato by MGM China Holdings Limited, MGM Resorts International, and Ms. Pansy Ho,” a note from the casino operator said.

The distribution of this pledge “will be decided in the coming days and months with guidance from the Macau government based on where the greatest need is.” The staff of MGM Macau and their families’ needs will be considered and included in the allocation of funds.

“The staff of MGM MACAU has been exceptional, contributing their time and efforts in the face of this challenge. We stand ready to utilize our resources in any manner we can for a swift and sustainable recovery of our local community,” said Ms. Pansy Ho, Co-chairperson & Executive Director of MGM China.

Jim Murren, Chairman and CEO of MGM Resorts presented his “condolences to the people of Macau on behalf of the entire MGM family.”

The pledge of MOP30 million is composed of commitments from MGM China Holdings Limited, MGM Resorts International and Ms. Pansy Ho.

Also, Lawrence Ho, Melco’s CEO, pledged a similar contribution of MOP30 million.

Sands China responds with relief efforts

Sands China Ltd. is responding to the aftermath of Typhoon Hato “with a series of relief efforts aimed at team members and the wider community,” reads a statement from the company.

At its properties, the company immediately distributed 10,000 bottles of water to team members whose families were in need of clean drinking water due to water outages after the storm. Team members in need “are also encouraged to bring their own containers to refill water from back-of-house areas of Sands China properties to avoid additional plastic waste to the community. Shower rooms are also being provided for team members at various locations throughout the company’s properties for team members in need of them.”

“Additional break times have been allotted for team members, and rest areas have been set up in air-conditioned function rooms at all properties, equipped with a total of 1,000 rollaway beds for team members unable to return home between breaks or before and after shifts,” the note states. And with a second typhoon having made landfall yesterday, “The Venetian Macao’s Cotai Expo Hall D and the Sands Theatre have been set up as shelters for team members and their immediate families who feel their homes are not safe enough to weather a second storm.”

“Our hearts go out to all the people of Macao during this period of recovery,” said Wilfred Wong, president of Sands China Ltd.

The press release added that more than 100 volunteers from the Sands China “helped clean up debris in the streets Saturday. They then headed to Fai Chi Kei public housing to distribute bottled water, meal boxes and cleaning kits to families in need.”