The holiday spirit shone brightly this year as the Sandals Foundation, in partnership with U.S.-based toy company Hasbro, distributed over 16,000 toys to children across the Caribbean. The initiative, which has been a staple of the holiday season since 2011, aims to inspire hope and spread joy to communities in need.
“The holiday season is a time for giving and sharing, and even more, a time to inspire hope,” said Patrice Gilpin, Public Relations Manager for the Sandals Foundation. “We are incredibly grateful to be able to partner with Hasbro to bring joy to children in a way that lets them know they are being thought of.”
On December 15, the festivities came alive at Buccament Bay beach, where Sandals Saint Vincent and the Grenadines hosted over 150 children for an afternoon of games, songs, food, and fun. The event marked the first holiday toy distribution for the resort, which opened in March 2024.
General Manager Tamon Allen described the event as a “resounding success,” sharing his own joy in bringing smiles to the faces of the children. “Nothing beats seeing the unfiltered joy on their tiny faces, and we saw a lot of that on December 15!”
Allen emphasized the importance of play for children’s development, noting, “Play and enjoyment are very beneficial to the holistic development of children, and the work that is done through the Sandals Foundation definitely supports this.”
Public Relations Manager Jamila Soso-Vincent echoed the sentiment, calling the event an “emotional experience” for the team. “Words can’t even fully describe how amazing it was to see so many children in one place having the time of their lives!” she said, adding that plans for next year’s celebration are already underway.
In addition to the Buccament Bay festivities, the Sandals Saint Vincent team collaborated earlier this year with the Lions Club of Kingstown, distributing 2,000 Hasbro toys to vulnerable communities across the country.
The Sandals Foundation, which focuses on education, community, and the environment, has been a driving force for positive change in the Caribbean. As Gilpin noted, “One hundred percent of the monies contributed by the general public to the Sandals Foundation go directly to programs benefiting the Caribbean community.”
For more information about the Sandals Foundation and its initiatives, visit www.sandalsfoundation.org.