Sandals Resorts International’s Philanthropic Arm Reflects on 2015-2016 Impact

Here’s yet another reason why we proudly support Sandals & Beaches Resorts. Their charitable giving is second to none. Here’s a release they recently sent us with a recap of their efforts over the last couple of years.

The Sandals Foundation, the nonprofit arm of Sandals Resorts International, is proud to wrap up another impactful year with success as shown in its 2015-2016 annual report – Inspiring Hope. Since its inception in 2009, the Sandals Foundation has aimed to unite the region with one common goal: to elevate its people and protect its delicate ecosystem under the pillars of community, education, and the environment.

“I continue to be amazed by the many programs and projects we have been able to implement over the past year, all of which have been instrumental in inspiring hope across the region. For us, the work we do is a true philanthropic extension of our brand and a call to action to equip those less fortunate with confidence, empowerment and fulfillment while providing communities with real solutions to the daily challenges they face. Thanks to the dedication of our team members, the visitors to our islands and the commitment of our valued donors and partners, we have been able to continue our positive impact affecting hundreds of thousands of lives,” said Adam Stewart, the Sandals Foundation’s President.

Below are some highlights from the 2015-2016 period in each of the Education,
Community and Environment sectors:

Education:
· Focusing on literacy performance and positively impacting over 12,000
children and families, the SuperKids Literacy Program, in partnership
with Great Shape Inc., targets grades 1-6 with the aim of improving
literacy and computer education, while encouraging extracurricular
activities such as sports, music and art.

· Through a partnership with Scholastic Book Fairs the 2015/16 school
year saw the donation of 25,000 children’s books to local school libraries
across the Islands. The Scholastic Reading Road Trip
gives resort guests and local school children the opportunity to engage in
an unforgettable one-on-one reading experience. To date, the
Foundation has hosted close to 9,000 Reading Road Trip volunteers.

· Supporting children’s literacy, educational development and the love of
reading, Hands Across the Sea Libraries aims to provide books, create
borrowing libraries and foster sustainability of an engaging reading space
within St. Lucia, Antigua and Grenada. This past year, the program
reached 1,537 children and had 2,257 new books shipped to local
schools in the Eastern Caribbean.

Community:
· In effort to encourage entrepreneurship and instill values necessary for
attaining success, the Foundation partnered with The School of
Business Entrepreneurs (TSOE) in St. Lucia. Designed
for 16 to 30-year-olds, the program offers comprehensive workshops that
cover topics such as marketing strategy, business licensing, social
responsibility and customer service.

· In keeping with its commitment to community and health initiatives, the
Foundation’s continued partnership with the SickKids Foundation
Caribbean program works to reduce mortality rate of children
in the Caribbean suffering from Pediatric Cancers and serious blood
disorders. In partnership with SickKids Canada, these efforts included
offering improved technology, establishing telemedicine
rooms, training nurses and providing fellowship for the second Pediatric
Oncologist in the Eastern Caribbean.

· The Foundation’s Flanker Music Program is a group of promising
youths from the inner city Flanker community in Montego Bay, Jamaica.
Their efforts resulted in funding a three-year program that has
provided: new musical instruments and repair to existing instruments;
lessons and tools for weekly classes; uniforms for band members and
performance opportunities at neighboring Sandals Resorts.

Environment:
· Over 27,800 turtles were safely hatched this year with efforts of the
Sea Turtle Conservation that provides support to help increase chances
of turtle survival in the wild and funding for field researchers to gather
valuable data, as well as create awareness for marine preservation.

· With the Sandals Foundation reforestation efforts alongside local
ministries, 10,758 trees were planted to help alleviate climate change in
the Caribbean region.

· As part of Coral Conservation efforts the Foundation established two
coral nurseries in Jamaica, which will produce over 1,000 pieces of coral
each year and a 15% increase in coral coverage and provide locals with
new employment opportunities within the environmental field.

· Implemented across 40 schools, The Sandals Foundation partnered with
the Guy Harvey Oceans Foundation and CARIBSAVE to create the
‘Save Our Seas’ program that provided education and awareness on the
importance of protecting the marine environment.

To learn more or to get involved, please visit www.sandalsfoundation.org. To learn about vacation options at these resorts, please visit our Sandals & Beaches pages.