In a monumental holiday outreach effort, the Sandals Foundation has transformed the Christmas season for thousands of Caribbean children through an expansive toy distribution initiative across nine islands. More than 50 dedicated volunteers from Sandals Foundation and Sandals St. Vincent and the Grenadines meticulously wrapped and delivered over 5,000 educational supplies and toys to 13 communities and schools throughout St. Vincent.
The program reached its festive climax with a Christmas Treat Party in the Buccament Bay community last Sunday, where children enjoyed an afternoon filled with recreational games, traditional carols, festive meals, and playful activities. This coastal community, which hosts the Sandals Saint Vincent resort, has been formally adopted as part of the organization’s extended family network.
Tamon Allen, General Manager of Sandals St. Vincent, emphasized the resort’s commitment: “Our mandate centers on investing in the wellbeing of Caribbean families, and we remain dedicated to supporting sustainable social development within our communities.”
Marking its thirteenth anniversary, the foundation’s annual toy drive has established itself as a beloved regional tradition. This year’s effort achieved unprecedented scale through strategic partnerships with three major U.S. toy manufacturers: Spin Master, Jazwares, and The Toy Foundation™. Together, they distributed 45,000 toys across the Caribbean region.
Heidi Clarke, Executive Director of the Sandals Foundation, captured the initiative’s spirit: “The holiday season embodies hope—the assurance that every child feels seen, valued, and profoundly loved. We extend our deepest gratitude to our partners for helping spread joy to 45,000 young lives throughout the Caribbean.”
The comprehensive distribution network benefited numerous institutions including Auntie Helen’s Methodist Preschool, Little Eagles Preschool, Sandy Bay Government School, Barrouallie Government School, Spring Village Methodist School, Salvation Army Children’s Home, children of inmates at Belle Isle Correctional Facility, the Pediatric Ward at Milton Cato Memorial Hospital, SVG Coast Guard families, and the communities of Paul’s Avenue, Layou, and Barrouallie.
This landmark collaboration represented the inaugural Caribbean outreach for all three toy companies. Children received an array of gifts including puzzles, Rubik’s Cubes, PAW Patrol figurines, and plush toys from Spin Master; building blocks and dinosaur figurines from The Toy Foundation; and popular Squishmallows plush toys from Jazwares.