More than 600 residents from rural communities in Westmoreland and St. Elizabeth received free medical checks on December 15, 2011 thanks to the team from the Don Daly Medical Mission, a 41-team of volunteer doctors from Florida’s Nova Southeastern University.

In collaboration with the Sandals Foundation, the team of optometrists, cardiologists, occupational therapists, nurses, pharmacists and medical students held 14 clinics administering treatments and medicines for illnesses such as diabetes, hypertension, skin and fungal infections along with other medical conditions.

In addition to the 600 adults, more than 60 children from the Sandals Foundation-adopted Culloden Early Childhood Institution also received general check-ups and eye care during the six-day programme.

Initiated more than 11 years ago by Don Daly, a Jamaican radio host in Florida, and Paula Anderson-Worts, a Jamaican-born doctor and associate professor of family medicine at the university, the medical mission has touched the lives of thousands across the parishes of St. Mary, St. Ann, St. Catherine, Kingston and St. Andrew.

This year’s mission was the first year the team reached communities in Westmoreland and St. Elizabeth.

In addition to providing free health care, members of the community were also able to fill prescriptions and receive reading glasses from the team of optometrists and pharmacists.

According to Daly: “To give someone a pair of glasses means so much as you’ve now opened up a whole new world for that person. Some of these persons were getting their eyes tested for the first time.”

Daly lauded Sandals Resorts for supporting the mission since its inception: “Sandals Resorts International and now the Sandals Foundation have played an integral role in the implementation and tremendous success of this mission,” he said.

He also thanked former minister of health, Dr. Peter Phillips and Dr. Morais Guy in St. Mary for their role in the birth and growth of the mission. Other major sponsors of the mission are MoneyGram, Jamaica National Building Society and Grace Kennedy.

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Hosting more than 60 treats, the Sandals Foundation once again spearheaded a fulfilling Holiday Toy Distribution for the festive season, bringing smiles to more than 10,000 children.

Participants included team members, guests and travel partners from Sandals Resorts International (SRI) and Sandals, Beaches and Grand Pineapple resorts across Jamaica, the Bahamas, Antigua, St. Lucia and the Turks & Caicos Islands.

Each year the Sandals Foundation initiates an international Holiday Toy Drive, encouraging the support of travel and industry partners, team members and the public to donate a toy to a needy child. This time around, the Sandals Foundation launched the Holiday Triple “Play” campaign in partnership with Hasbro Inc., one of the world’s leading toy manufacturers and valued partner for Beaches Resorts, with any donation of $10 being matched by SRI and Hasbro also donating a toy – growing the gifting three-fold.

‘Santa’ spread Christmas cheer on December 29, 2011 by delivering toys and hosting festivities in schools, hospitals, community institutions and infirmaries across the region. With the help of an abundance of team members and guests, those less fortunate were able to feel the Christmas spirit as they were showered with toys for the little ones, entertainment and refreshments.

“We should all be there for those who are in need”

Sandals Foundation Director of Programmes, Heidi Clarke, excitedly commented on the events saying, “Christmas is a time of neighborly love, we should all be there for those who are in need. Delivering these annual Christmas treats is the Sandals Foundation’s way of being there, especially for the children.”

During the treat at the Bluefields Bay Basic School in Westmoreland, Jamaica, Principal Joy Baker commented on the proceedings, explaining the tremendous effect the treats have on the children.

“The kids here look forward to the Christmas Treat each year. We like to give them toys and educational material as this is oftentimes the only gift they get for Christmas. The Sandals Foundation really helped us a lot this year by coming on board to provide gifts for the kids as we would normally have to find gifts on our own.”

Public Relations Manager Eleanor Finfin of Beaches Turks & Caicos, praised the efforts of all those involved in making the Christmas Treats become such a success.

“Our team members and guests have really got involved this year. Knowing that the treat and gifts are going to the local communities means a lot because our employees come from these communities and they know how much these treats mean to a lot of struggling families,” she said.

The Annual Holiday Toy Drive is one of several programs spearheaded by the Sandals Foundation throughout the year in the Caribbean.

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The second annual Sandals Foundation Trans-Antigua Half Marathon, headlined by Canadian World Record Holder Rick Ball, was a tremendous success.

He was joined by Antigua and Barbuda’s sprinting sensation, Jamol Pilgrim and the 2011 Queen of Carnival Latisha Greene.

“I am thrilled to be a part of a community event that focuses on promoting the development of youth in Sports in Antigua and Barbuda,” said an ecstatic Rick Ball after signing autographs at the finish line.

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More than 200 people turned up on a rainy Sunday morning on December 6, 2011 and completed the 5K, 10K and half-marathon distances.

The participants gathered at Grand Pineapple Beach Resort for food, prize giving and entertainment.

The Antigua Girls High School received a trophy for being the school with the most participants while the Pioneer Race Club collected an award for being the organization with the most participants.

The fundraising event generated $4700 USD and the proceeds will go towards building a multi-purpose court for the Antigua Girls High School.

Students gear up for an exciting year at the Sandals Foundation Golf Academy.

Widening the pool of young golfers, exposure of young people to the myriad of opportunities in golf, and contribution to sports tourism are among the reasons given by the Sandals Foundation for the launch of its golf academy on December 20, 2011 at the Sandals La Toc Golf Course in St. Lucia.

Some 15 young people were carded in the first batch of a one-year golf clinic for young St. Lucians, who would otherwise not have access to the sport.

Regional Public Relations Manager for Sandals Resorts in the Eastern Caribbean, Dominic Fedee, said the launch is in keeping with the Sandals Foundation’s pledge to develop young people.

“We hope that we would accomplish the same level of success that we have achieved over the past 11 years with the Sandals Cricket Academy, which presented more than 400 young cricketers with an avenue to develop their game and most importantly their lives,” Fedee cited.

He continued: “We have set out three broad objectives for ourselves; to widen the pool of local golfers, expose young people to the countless opportunities available to them via golf and contribute to the development of golf tourism on the island.”

Building on St. Lucia’s golfing reputation

The Sandals Regional Public Relations Manager believes that by exposing more young people to the game, St. Lucia stands a very good chance of enhancing its reputation for producing top golfers.

“So as the reputation of our golfers enhances, as a golf destination we will become more attractive. The Caribbean is already benefiting from a number of UK schools, which visit various islands to play cricket, and I have no doubt that the reputation of the region in that sport played a part in their destination choice,” Fedee explained.

Students from various secondary and primary schools are attending the one-year event, which the Sandals Foundation hopes to undertake annually.

“I have never been on a golf course before. I am good at basketball at school but always wanted to try golf,” one student said.

In addition to the drive, teeing off, putting, stance and the right balance, the students will also learn various life skills such as discipline, punctuality, concentration among others. The clinic runs weekly on Saturdays.

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The Sandals Foundation’s annual Christmas treats kicked off in grand style with over 70 students of the Roehamton Basic School in rural St. James, receiving an early visit from Santa on Thursday December 8, 2011.  The treat represented the first of over 60 holiday events scheduled to take place throughout Jamaica and the Caribbean in the coming weeks. The activities will be held in the parishes of Kingston, St. James, Hanover, St. Ann, St. Mary and Westmoreland and across the islands of Saint Lucia, Turks & Caicos; the Bahamas and Antigua. The Sandals Foundation will be reaching out to schools, community institutions and infirmaries over the festive period, which will see community members and over 10,000 children receiving toys and being treated with festive luncheons and dinners.

Coordinating this year’s first treat for the St. James region was Public Relations Manager Khadine Daley who along with volunteers, including resort guests and staff were on hand to share festive treats and Christmas cake as well as engage in reading activities. Soon the excitement started when Santa made his presence, with screaming and shouting from the excited youngsters who were then flourished with gifts. Daley noted, “This year in the St. James region we have a number of treats organized and we have made it a priority to reach out to our rural areas as well as our towns and city because they get easily forgotten, but are equally as important. These treats are also a great way for our guests to experience our culture, how we celebrate Christmas and for the children to understand more about other cultures.”

June Patterson, Principal at the Roehampton school, shared her gratitude by commenting on the event, “We are delighted to have this new relationship with the Sandals Foundation.  Usually in the rural areas, we are forgotten and these Christmas gifts are a blessing for us. This annual event is a blessing for many families across the Caribbean and we are thankful.” During the treat, students performed Christmas carols and entertained the volunteers to say ‘Thank You’ for their gifts.

Heidi Clarke, Director of Programmes at the Sandals Foundation remarked on the significance of these treats to be undertaken leading up to Christmas Day. “These treats go a small way to helping the thousands of needy individuals across the Caribbean. The holidays can be a difficult time and it’s our responsibility to be there for our neighbors, for our communities, to help make a difference and bring a smile to those who may otherwise not have a reason to enjoy the holiday season.  Whether it is giving a toy to a child who would normally go without or sharing a special lunch with the elderly, the Sandals Foundation is committed to bring cheer to those less fortunate.”

Each year the Sandals Foundation launches an international Holiday Toy Drive inviting travel and industry partners, team members and the public to donate a toy to a needy child. This year the Sandals Foundation launched the Holiday Triple “Play” campaign in partnership with Hasbro Inc., with any donation of $10 being matched by Sandals Resorts International and Hasbro also donating a toy – growing the gifting three-fold.

Wayne Cummings (second from right), Sandal Resorts International receives the World Travel Market Global Award on behalf of the Sandals Foundation from (l-r) Fiona Jeffrey, James Cracknell and Rt Hon Jeremy Hunt MP, with Arnie Weissmann, Travel Weekly in the US

The Sandals Foundation has secured a prestigious World Travel Market Global Award in recognition of the work it undertakes as the philanthropic arm of Sandals Resorts International.

Reed Travel Exhibitions Chairman World Travel Market Fiona Jeffery presented the award to Wayne Cummings, Director of Business Processes and Administration, Sandals Resorts International, on Monday November 7 during the WTM’s VIP Opening & Reception Ceremony in London, England.

WTM’s Global Media Network, comprising of key travel industry media around the world, put forward organisations and individuals which have contributed to their region’s travel and tourism industry. The Sandals Foundation was nominated by Travel Weekly USA. Its Editor in Chief, Arnie Weissmann, jointly presented the award with Jeffery.

The Sandals Foundation represents the culmination of three decades of dedication to the Caribbean by Sandals and brings to life the hotel operator’s belief that being good neighbours and citizens is a non-negotiable duty. The Sandals Foundation invests in sustainable projects in education, the environment and communities and aims to preserve and protect the beauty of the Caribbean. It receives countless requests for help from across the islands and seeks to do everything it can to respond to as many as possible. The Sandals Foundation allows both the company and its staff to do more to achieve what needs to be done on the islands.

Jeffery said, “The Sandals Foundation is an impressive medium, allowing the company to give back to the communities that have supported it. Its ability to harness the passion, energy and skills of its staff on behalf of others is second to none.”

Adam Stewart, President of the Sandals Foundation’s Board of Directors was elated with the news. “To be recognised by the World Travel Market, one of the most prominent travel organisations in the entire world, is incredibly humbling and a great testament to the work of, not just our Sandals team members, but also our travel partners who all play a huge role in making a difference to the lives of those who need it the most,” remarked Stewart. “By its very nature, the work of the Sandals Foundation is never complete but an award such as this drives us on to greater and greater heights and is a tremendous honour,” Stewart continued.

Every year, World Travel Market Global Awards are presented. The other 2011 winners are: Italy’s Chapter of the Green Meeting Industry Council, Butlin’s, the Renaissance Moscow Hotel, the Middle East’s WILD Guanabana, India-based The Lalit Group, Porto Bay Hotels & Resorts, Spain’s RENFE, Sao Paulo Turismo and The Travel Corporation Canada.

This year’s iCare clinic was held for two weeks (9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.) at two different locations – 5 days each:

• October 10 through October 14 at the Cambridge Health Center in St. James Parish.
• October 17 through October 21 at the Eltham Community Center in St. Ann Parish.

iCare Program Director, Steven Stern, organized his team of 65 volunteers from the U.S. and Canada and noted that over 16,000 pairs of glasses were on received for donation to community residents. Stern says, “There is a great need in Jamaica for eye care, glasses, and hypertension/diabetes screening. In Western Jamaica there is no public health optometry. We are so grateful for the support and sponsorship of Sandals Foundation and all our volunteers who make all of this work possible!”

iCare teams are composed of eye care doctors from the United States and Canada, eye care professionals, and support staff. All the glasses and supplies have been donated through Great Shape!, VOSH (Volunteer Optometric Services to Humanity), and LERC (Lions Eyeglass Recycling Center). The Sandals Foundation provided logistics support as well as all accommodations, meals and transportation daily to the various clinic sites. The Jamaican Ministry of Health provides the infrastructure and safety. Stern is convinced, “This is not only a humanitarian health care program – it is about diplomacy, bonding between cultures, and working together.”

Great Shape! Inc. also conducted two other projects in Jamaica, 1000 Smiles and SuperKids in partnership with Sandals Foundation. 1000 Smiles is the world’s largest, international, humanitarian dental project. SuperKids improves literacy in local schools through reading, computers, art, music and sports.  Great Shape! has facilitated humanitarian projects in Jamaica since 1988.

Throughout the month of October, the Sandals Foundation will collect donations made directly to the Foundation or via its website at www.sandalsfoundation.org, and designate them to PROJECT CARIBBEAN to provide educational materials about breast cancer, raise programme development funds for special education clinics and on-site mammograms, and bring general awareness to the Caribbean on the importance of living a healthy lifestyle.

Additionally, Project Pink, Inc. will extend its Project Joy! programme into the Caribbean.  Project Joy! is a wish-granting programme designed for the women and men battling the disease which allows them the opportunity to enjoy an event or fulfill a wish. It is intended to improve the quality of their lives in ways that the medical field alone cannot provide.

“We are very grateful to Sandals Resorts and the Sandals Foundation for their invaluable help in this effort to educate men and women about good breast health,” said Allison Caudle, Founder of Project Pink, Inc. “Project Caribbean will most certainly help save lives.”

Heidi Clarke, Director of Programmess for the Sandals Foundation, is also extremely positive about the new project: “Breast cancer affects all of us but, particularly here in the Caribbean, there’s an even greater need to educate and spread the word about early detection.  We are so delighted to be partnering with Project Pink, Inc to do our part to influence women about the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle while affording them the educational information and tools to support breast health to ultimately save their life”.

Project Pink, Inc, and the Sandals Foundation plan to host the first PROJECT CARIBBEAN in Jamaica during the first quarter of 2012.

Readathon was established in 2000 to help curb the decline in literacy and increase a love of reading among 6-16-year-olds within the area. This year’s event is expected to be another ‘edutaining’ and rewarding experience with activities such as reading and spelling competitions for different age groups, appearances by Sesame Street characters.

Sandals Foundation Director, Heidi Clarke stated “Readathon has become one of the most anticipated events in the area. Its value to the community is phenomenal, because it allows the children and young adults a chance to experience the exciting world of reading and further gives them the confidence to exercise their literary creativity.”

Readathon is one of several educational initiatives undertaken by the Sandals Foundation in Flanker. The ministry of education have also partnered with the foundation reading specialists will be on location to provide technical and diagnostic support by analyzing the literacy level of the children within the area.

Over 550 generous personnel from Flight Centre dedicated two afternoons to community service during their annual Group Training Retreat.  Working alongside community representatives and volunteers from the Sandals Foundation, the group tackled a variety of projects including school building upgrades and beautification of school grounds, construction of community centers, reef clean up, repainting of a local fire station, building a school cafeteria and creating reading gardens and playgrounds for local children.

The group was also kind enough to donate 70 computers which they installed and started operating during their community outreach efforts. At the end of the extensive two-day outreach, 10 projects were completed, benefiting over 4,000 local residents.

Heidi Clarke, Director of Programs for the Sandals Foundation, was yet again amazed by the generous support of the Flight Centre team. “This is our third year of hosting the Flight Centre group, and it really touches us to have partners that care and continue to give back here in the Caribbean.  We are so grateful for the monetary donation of CDN$50,000 which made several of these community projects possible, and the donation of computers will boost the education opportunities for our students.”