I grew up with a girl scout troop that collected discarded coke cans and papers from the side of the road. I’ve served in soup kitchens. I’ve helped raise hundreds of dollars for Native-American schools and veterans through my chapter of DAR. But last year, when I was first exposed to the massive good that is done by The Sandals Foundation, I unexpectedly WEPT all over the Sandals and Beaches chairman during lunch. I was so moved.
During the first Social Media on the Sand conference in 2014, I was treated to a presentation breakfast about The Sandals Foundation, which is the non-profit arm of Sandals Resorts and Beaches Resorts. I heard from the CEO of Sandals and Beaches as well as the head of The Sandals Foundation. I learned of the variety of projects such as supporting local schools, community initiatives, and sustainable projects preserving the environment. I was staggered to hear that because Sandals and Beaches supports the Foundation’s staff, ONE HUNDRED PERCENT of what is raised is given back to the community. This applies to dollars as well as supplies.
While at home and on vacation to their resorts, there are many opportunities for you to get involved and give back to the Caribbean. Each conference member was supplied a backpack to stuff with at least five pounds of school supplies like construction paper, rulers, pens, pencils solar calculators and dry erase materials. I brought two large backpacks with me, and continue to bring at least one each time I visit the resort (I’ve brought down 4 total!) This haul was the most recent collection to the donation.
The Sandals Foundation announced a new relationship with Scholastic this year, the world’s largest publisher and distributor of children’s books. With a 94 year history of service, Scholastic is continuing to carry out its commitment to “Open a World of Possible” for all children. Through the connection with The Sandals Foundation, Scholastic Book Fairs will be a sponsor of our weekly Reading Road Trip and provide thousands of books for our Caribbean-supported schools. This is huge! Check with your local book fair to see what you can send to the Sandals-supported schools!
The latest video to come from The Sandals Foundation is “Our Caribbean Soul”, and I think you’ll like it just as much as I did.
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