Sep 28, 2023
NATIONAL HARBOR, MD. (September 28, 2023) — This holiday season Gaylord National Resort's ICE! will feature the classic 1964 Christmas animated television special, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer from November 19 through December 31. As part of their holiday programming Gaylord National will be launching their new Spread Kindness & Shine Bright initiative on October 18, National Unity Day, to encourage others to spread joy, be kind and inclusive, and shine bright with love for others.
This year, ICE! will include 13 scenes from Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, featuring classic characters including Clarice, Bumble, Sam the Snowman, Hermey the Elf, and of course, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer himself. As guests travel through this tale, carved out of 2 million pounds of colorful ice, they will be reminded of Rudolph's adventures and how he ultimately embraces what makes him different and shines bright.
Wednesday, October 18, National Unity Day, a time to unite for kindness, acceptance, and inclusion, Gaylord National will host the campaign's launch event with children from the Boys & Girls Clubs across Maryland, along with other invited guests and community leaders. Event attendees will meet with Santa and Rudolph and will write their own promises to spread kindness on special Shine Bright Stars which will be placed on a Rudolph themed 10'x8' wall that will be displayed through the entire holiday season.
"The story of Rudoph touches so many hearts during the holiday season and reminds us to accept each other and embrace our differences," said Dan McKeon, area general manager of Gaylord National Resort. "We want to be a leader, like Rudolph, and help others spread kindness and let their light shine bright. We're honored and excited to share this new initiative with the children from Boys & Girls Clubs across Maryland and with all our guests who visit during the holiday season."
PACER's National Bullying Prevention Center, the organization behind Unity Day, aims to prevent childhood bullying through social change and active resources. PACER's research shows one out of every five (20.2%) students report being bullied and 41% of students who reported being bullied believe it would happen again. By partnering with Boys & Girls Clubs across Maryland and sharing messages of unity, Gaylord National hopes to spread joy, inclusion, and kindness this holiday season to children everywhere. Guests who visit during the holidays are invited to complete their own Shine Bright Star and add it to the Spread Kindness & Shine Bright wall, which will be located in the hall leading to ICE! and the Christmas Village entrance.
"Our organization is thrilled to partner with Gaylord National and ICE! to bring this fantastic opportunity to our Boys & Girls Club members from Baltimore City, Howard County and the Eastern Shore," said Jeff Breslin, President and CEO, Boys & Girls Clubs of Metropolitan Baltimore. "Part of our mission, at the Boys & Girls Clubs, is to spread kindness each day and make our communities better places; this partnership is a natural alignment."
Children who attend the event from Boys & Girls Clubs across Maryland will receive two complimentary tickets to return to ICE! and experience the 12 scenes carved from more than two million pounds of ice once the event opens November 19. After the Unity Day ceremony the children will enjoy lunch with Santa and Rudolph at Gaylord National.
"We are thankful for this partnership and the opportunity it provides for our Boys & Girls Club members from Calvert, St. Mary's and Charles Counties," stated Joy Hill, CEO, Boys & Girls Clubs of Southern Maryland. "Our youth believe in spreading kindness, and our mission and program activities, within our Clubs, reinforce this idea each and every day."
Gaylord National will also donate $1 from every ticket sold on Twinkle Tuesdays, November 21, 28, December 5 and 12, up to $10,000, to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metropolitan Baltimore, to distribute across the State of Maryland and to spread the message of unity throughout the year.
Media are invited to attend the event Wednesday, October 18 at 11 a.m. which will include an ice carving demonstration from ice artisans and a behind the scenes tour of ICE! Representatives from Gaylord National and Boys & Girls Clubs across Maryland will be available for interviews. Media wishing to attend should RSVP to Havilah Ross at havilah@mavenmpr.com or 469-919-9890.
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About Gaylord National Resort & Convention CenterGaylord National Resort and Convention Center is the largest, non-gaming hotel and convention center on the east coast, located along the banks of the Potomac River in National Harbor, Maryland and part of Marriott International, Inc. Opened in April 2008, Gaylord National is an AAA-Four Diamond resort that is only eight miles from Washington, D.C. The resort offers nearly 2,000 rooms including 110 suites; a 19-story atrium; 600,000 square-feet of indoor and outdoor meeting space; acclaimed restaurants including Old Hickory Steakhouse; and Pose Rooftop Lounge.
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and all related elements © & ™ under license to Character Arts, LLC. All rights reserved.
