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Beaches Turks & Caicos Earth Guardians Recognise Selfless Environmental Hero…
#TurksandCaicos, October 12, 2022 – Team members and managers from Beaches Turks and Caicos recently collected nearly 100 bags of garbage from the Lower Bight area, which included Princess Drive and the Public Basketball Court as part of the company’s continued dedication to environmental assistance. This cleanup was made even more special as it followed an official recognition of a true friend to the local streets, sidewalks and beaches of
Norman Rogers, affectionately referred to as “Norm”, has a long history of hands-on demonstration when it comes to caring for the planet as many residents has seen his familiar face while driving along the highway in the mornings, where he collects trash five days a week. He is also no stranger to the Sandals Resorts International brand.
Citing his journey to the Turks and Caicos, Norm stated; “We first learned of Beaches Turks and Caicos at a Sandals returning guest dinner and visited the Turks and Caicos Islands for the first time in 2000 and instantly fell in love. Unfortunately, I had a mild heart attack in 2003 which led me to think about my future, so in 2004 we purchased a home on the island. We often visit Fort George Cay to photograph birds, but the litter always got in the way, so I began to collect litter every time we visited the other smaller islands and cays.
“During the lockdown in 2020, people were allowed to go for walks in the morning and evening. During my walks I began to notice litter along the streets and did not like it at all, so each time I went for a walk I would pick up some and bring it back home.
“I have been picking up litter ever since and collected over 2000 bags, which brings me joy because if the hurricane winds come, that litter will not end up in the ocean. This shirt I am wearing today says ‘STOP LITTERING!’ on the front and ‘ONE PERSON CAN MAKE A DIFFERERENCE’ on the back, words I live by.”
The massive cleanup project was a collaborative effort between the Beaches Turks and Caicos managerial staff and the internal group – the Earth Guardians – who are resort Ambassadors, responsible for positively impacting the environment.
The combined team focused on the section of the Lower Bight adjacent to the Key West Village, which is the scene of ongoing road works and new sidewalk construction.
The environmental team started early in the morning after presenting Norm with an official certificate of recognition and his very own Sandals 40th Anniversary Team Member T-shirt. They proceeded to gradually work their way east along Princess Drive collecting plastic bottles, paper and plastic supplies, as well as disposable masks and other debris.
Beaches Turk and Caicos Environment Health and Safety Manager, Shuntal Gibson, cited the importance of recognising members of the community who tirelessly work to preserve and protect the environment.
Gibson stated; “All of us are familiar with Norm and his continued efforts to contribute to the ‘Beautiful by Nature’ brand of Turks and Caicos. That’s why it was such an honour to not only recognize his consistent work but also to collaborate with him on a cleanup initiative. As Earth Guardians, we conduct community and beach cleanups very often. This also allows us to build relationship with the residents in these communities and they have come to understand how important their communities are to us and Sandals Resorts International as an organisation.”
Release: Sandals Resorts
Photo Captions:
Header: Members of the Beaches Turks and Caicos Earth Guardian team are all smiles after conducting a community clean-up in the Lower Bight community.
Insert: Beaches Turks and Caicos Director of Operations, Ghislain Boutoulle (left) and Environment Health and Safety Manager, Shuntal Gibson (right) present Environmentalist Norman Rogers with a Certificate of Appreciation for his continued street and beach cleanup efforts.