Sandals Foundation provides toys and supplies to 13 local communities

MORE THAN 50 volunteers from Sandals Foundation and Sandals St Vincent and the Grenadines wrapped and distributed over 5000 toys and school supplies in 13 communities and schools across St Vincent and the Grenadines, creating unforgettable experiences for the children.

The initiative culminated on Sunday, December 14, with a Christmas treat and party for children of the Buccament Bay community that featured an afternoon of games, songs, food, and play.

“Buccament Bay is home to Sandals St Vincent, and as such, the resort has proudly adopted the community as part of our extended family,” General Manager of Sandals St Vincent, Tamon Allen said. “It is our mandate to invest in the well being of our Caribbean families and as such will continue to support the social development of our communities.”

The Sandals Foundation’s annual toy distribution has been a cherished tradition for communities across the Caribbean for 13 years, creating memories and joy to last a lifetime, the Foundation states in a release. This holiday season, the Sandals Foundation partnered with three leading forces in the US toy industry- Spin Master, Jazwares, and The Toy Foundation ™, to deliver 45,000 toys to children across nine Caribbean islands, spreading joy and hope throughout the region.

“The holidays are about hope, the kind that reminds every child that they are seen, valued, and deeply loved,” said Heidi Clarke, Executive Director of the Sandals Foundation. “We are incredibly grateful to our partners SpinMaster, Jazwares, and The Toy Foundation for spreading joy to 45,000 young lives across the Caribbean.”

Benefiting schools and communities on mainland St Vincent included Auntie Helen’s Methodist Pre-school, Little Eagles Pre-school, Sandy Bay Government School, Barrouallie Government School, Spring Village Methodist School, the Salvation Army Children’s

Home, children of inmates at the Belle Isle Correctional Facility, the Paediatric Ward at the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital, SVG Coast Guard, the Community of Paul’s Avenue, the Community of Layou and the Community of Barrouallie.

“With all three toy companies stepping into the Caribbean for the first time, children were delighted with puzzles, Rubik’s Cubes, PAW Patrol figurines, plushies and more from Spin Master; building blocks and dinosaur figurines from The Toy Foundation; and Squishmallows plush toys from Jazwares.”

The Foundation said the success of the initiative was also made possible through the generous support of valued partners and sponsors such as ACADO, through its Creamery brand,Third Element Songs, and Fanfare Events.