No one celebrates the magic of the season quite like the Sandals Foundation and true to its outstanding reputation, this year more than 15,000 children across the Caribbean were beaming with joy as they were gifted with toys and games in exquisitely planned Christmas treats just in time for the holidays.
Hundreds of Sandals/ Beaches Resorts team members transformed into vibrant Santa elves and helpers as they took to the communities, visiting schools and various organisations with a goal of filling the atmosphere and tiny hands with love and cheer.
The annual toy distribution events are made possible through a longstanding partnership between the philanthropic organization with United States based toy company, Hasbro, and the commitment of every team member of the luxury included Sandals and Beaches resorts.
“It’s an incredible team effort that begins at our warehouse in Miami and sees volunteers from our Unique Vacations Inc. offices, diligently sorting and packing boxes of toys to be delivered to every resort across our eight Caribbean islands,” says Patrice Gilpin, Public Relations Manager at Sandals Foundation.
Once on property, Gilpin continued, “the enthusiasm of our team members on the ground then bring all the components to life. It is transformational to witness the level of care that is poured into the individual wrapping of gifts for every child. The logistics to ensure the right communities are served and those extra touches that ensure every treat feels just as special. This is the time of year we all live for at Sandals Resorts International, and we are grateful to everyone who help to make this season of love a reality every year.”
Recently, on December 07th and 11th 2023, the magic of the season came alive at three schools in Castries, The Balata Combined, The Bishop Charles Gachet RC and The Gros Islet Infant & Primary as Sandals Resorts team members served over 700 children in an afternoon filled with games, songs, food, and play.
Speaking to the experience at Sandals Grande St Lucian Spa & Beach Resort, PR Manager Judy Deterville summed up the experience for the children. “They really do look forward to the gifts and party treats. The excitement is palpable. And when each child receives their gift, they joy is immense. Recently we met a young lady who was a participant in the resort’s Hospitality Training Programme. She said that she knew about the programme because when she was a child at school, she got gifts for Christmas when we came to her school, the Gros Islet Infant school. The team members from Sandals all look forward to this programme as well. It heralds in the season with early gift wrapping and delivery.”
The annual Christmas toy distribution has become a tradition for children in Jamaica, Saint Lucia, Antigua, The Bahamas, Turks and Caicos Islands, Grenada, and Barbados, and the resort’s newest island home of Curacao.
SOURCE: Sandals Foundation
