What a Celebration! —Toys, Joy and Hugs Abound as Sandals Foundation’s Annual Holiday Treats with Hasbro Thrill Thousands

PROVIDENCIALES, Turks & Caicos Islands, January 8, 2023—The holidays are undoubtedly a joyous occasion in the Caribbean, with jingle bells and all-round cheer echoing throughout the air. This year, the Sandals Foundation made it even more memorable for children across Providenciales with a little help from Santa and his elves hand-delivering some 1,500 assortment of toys and games.

The beaming faces and smiles of wide-eyed children at the Enid Capron Primary School, Thelma Lightbourne Primary and the Lower Bight community were only topped by the warm hugs that greeted the philanthropic organisation’s ambassadors from Beaches Turks and Caicos as they served students over three days in mornings of sweet treats, games, and toys donated by American toy company, Hasbro.

According to Heidi Clarke, Executive Director of Sandals Foundation, the activities were designed to bring laughter, joy, and happiness to children throughout the region, making this time magical.

“The holiday season is in full swing, and for us, it is a time of generosity, kindness, and love as we share joy and hope with the children we’ve worked with throughout the year”.

Clarke also added, “The sheer joy radiating from the volunteers as they distribute toys to the children, combined with the warm embrace they receive from that overjoyed child, is priceless “.

More than 14,000 fun and educational toys and games are being distributed to children ages 3 to 13+ right across the Caribbean, with the customary high-energy celebration that has been known to characterize the Sandals Foundation team and the incredible partners of Beaches Turks and Caicos, the Ministry of Education, and the Member of Parliament for the Lower Bight that help make the activities possible.

James McAnally, General Manager at Beaches Turks and Caicos shared that the purpose of volunteerism has resorted in the team sharing the joy of the season with the communities. “As we share with our communities this season, all of the resort’s leaders made sure to join hands and hearts as we give back to our communities. We are all Sandals Foundation Ambassadors here at Beaches Turks and Caicos, and giving back for us has created an atmosphere of care as we move forward as a team.”

Sandals Foundation Ambassador Bernard Florvil, Mason within the Maintenance department shared his joy of being involved in the activities. “Within the Beaches Turks and Caicos resort, being involved as a Sandals Foundation Ambassador gives me the opportunity to give back my time to these communities and especially the children. Being able to experience the satisfaction that these children show with the receipt of each gift creates a sense of joy that makes me want to continue giving back of my time,” Williams noted.

Principal of the Thelma Lightbourne Primary, Robin Cox-Foster said, “this partnership with the Beaches Turks and Caicos resort and the Sandals Foundation along with our school has provided a meaningful opportunity for more than 400 of our students to receive Christmas gifts. Our parents are extremely grateful because the gifts that their children have received are unique and of high quality.”

Sophia Garland, Principal of the Enid Capron Primary added, “thanks much to the Sandals Foundation and the Beaches Turks and Caicos for providing Christmas gifts for more than 350 boys and girls here at the school. The partnership with these organisations have been long standing but for 2022, post the pandemic, we were able to have our children enjoy treats and gifts from Sandals Foundation and the team at Beaches. We are very grateful.”

The Sandals Foundation’s annual Christmas toy distribution has become a tradition for children in Jamaica, St. Lucia, Antigua, The Bahamas, Turks and Caicos Islands, Grenada, and Barbados. This year, the joy was also spread to the resort’s newest island home of Curacao.

“Thank you to our partners at Hasbro for continuing to help us make the season even more special for children across the Caribbean, and to our team members who add the magic touch with gift wrapping and distribution, bringing joy to many young boys and girls,” said Heidi Clarke, Executive Director at Sandals Foundation.