• Home
  • Media Kit
  • About
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Contact

Mommy Kat and Kids

Canadian Mom Blogger - Product Reviews, Travel, Recipes and Parenting

  • Articles
    • Family
    • Humour
    • Crafts
    • Money
    • Parenting
    • Relationships
    • Self-Esteem
    • Health
  • Blogging
  • Reviews & Giveaways
    • Giveaway
    • Reviews
    • Coupon Code
  • Features
    • Anna’s Budget Tips
    • Wordless Wednesday
    • Sunday Quotes
  • Travel
    • Canada
    • USA
    • International
    • Events
  • Recipes
    • Lunch and Snacks
    • Main Dishes
    • Side Dishes
    • Desserts and Treats
    • Beverages
    • Pickles and Preserves
  • The $5000 Wedding
  • Holiday Gift Guide
    • Holiday Gift Guide 2020
    • Holiday Gift Guide 2019
    • Holiday Gift Guide 2018
    • Holiday Gift Guide 2017
    • Holiday Gift Guide 2016
    • Holiday Gift Guide 2015
    • Holiday Gift Guide 2014
You are here: Home / Travel / International / Beaches Resorts – Giving Back through the Sandals Foundation #BeachesMoms

Beaches Resorts – Giving Back through the Sandals Foundation #BeachesMoms

February 5, 2014 by Kathryn 45 Comments

Recently my boys and I went on an amazing trip to the Beaches Negril resort in Jamaica. With Beaches Resorts’ passion for providing the ultimate all-inclusive experience to visitors, we enjoyed plenty of relaxing and fun-filled moments on the resort. But we also had a chance to see the difference that the company makes to the community through its philanthropic arm, the Sandals Foundation, and it was an experience that left me and my boys more touched than I could have expected.

sandals foundation christmas party presents
Zackary and Benjamin had lots of fun examining the tables full of presents when we arrived!

We travelled to the local Mount Airy School in the Mocho Mountains for the annual Sandals Foundation Christmas Party and to make the experience even more memorable, we had been given the opportunity to bring a wrapped gift to give to one of the schoolchildren at the party. I loved the idea of showing my boys how rewarding generosity could be, so I intentionally chose gifts that I knew each of them would love to have for themselves: Benjamin’s gift was a soft and cuddly teddy bear and Zackary’s was a LEGO set. I even brought a large Hello Kitty doll to give away myself and we were bursting with excitement when we arrived.

schoolroom st. airy school negril jamaica
The school consisted of a number of buildings that each housed different age groups in the single rooms.

sandals foundation christmas party
The tables loaded with presents had all the children excited to start the party!

Tables full of Christmas presents were set out as eager children peered out of their classrooms waiting for the festivities to start. When we first arrived, I had no idea just how many students attended the school; the two small single-room buildings by the gift display each held perhaps thirty students and initially I thought that was all there were. But across the road were many more classrooms and when the children started assembling outside, they numbered in the hundreds.

children schoolhouse negril jamaica
The kids were visibly eager to leave the classroom and start the party!
sandals foundation Mount Airy School in the Mocho Mountains of Clarendon Parish
The assembled students of Mount Airy School in the Mocho Mountains of Clarendon Parish.

After a brief speech from the principal, a small group of the children performed a traditional song and dance that both my boys absolutely loved. And then it was time to treat all the students to cake and juice! Zackary was quick to jump up and start handing out juice to the many children and watching him carefully carrying a cup of juice in each hand to give to the thirsty schoolchildren had me bursting with pride. Once everyone had been fed, it was time to hand out the presents!

sandals foudation traditional jamaican dancing
The children had so much fun performing for their classmates!
boys at St. Airy School negril jamaica
These boys were all smiles as they waited for the presents to be handed out!

Watching the faces of the children light up as they were given a gift was absolutely heart-warming, and Santa Claus even made an appearance and handed out gifts too! The large open courtyard was full of happy children and almost everyone got a little teary-eyed seeing that joy.

sandals foundation girls with presents
These girls were so sweet and excited to pose for me so that they could show off their gifts!
zack and ben christmas party
Benjamin got a little worn out in the heat, but luckily his big brother was there to take care of him.

Benjamin wilted in the heat a bit and at four years old, he didn’t quite understand the purpose of the event. But Zackary, at seven years old, was the perfect age for this experience and was soon in his element. He was so excited to hand out presents to the schoolchildren and the smile on his face as a row of boys gave him a high-five was heart-melting. Being able to not just see for myself the work that the Sandals Foundation does, but to be a part of it with my boys too was easily one of the best moments of our trip.

zack presents boys sandals foundation
Zackary loved handing out presents and even had children coming up later waving their gifts and saying, “You gave me this! Thank you!”
boys high-fiving at sandals foundation christmas party
Zackary and Benjamin were both so excited to give the big boys high-fives!

The Sandals Foundation does much more than just sponsor Christmas parties though! The organization supports education, environmental responsibility and community development in the Caribbean through a variety of individual projects. From book drives and community scholarships that support educational growth to skills training and mentorship programs that help drive economic change to trash removal and wildlife monitoring that protect the delicate ecosystem of the ocean, the Sandals Foundation is passionate about supporting Caribbean communities in a variety of life-enriching ways.

Literacy and educational support is a huge part of the work that Sandals Foundation does.
Literacy and educational support is a huge part of the work that Sandals Foundation does.
boys with elmo sandles foundation
For some of the children, having Elmo arrive was as exciting as the presents! Seeing their faces light up as they ran over to say hi was priceless.

The chance to attend the Sandals Foundation Christmas Party was a humbling experience and one that I will never forget. Knowing that Beaches Resorts gives back to the community in this way just gives me one more reason to choose a Beaches vacation in the future. The organization ensures that the Caribbean communities near the resorts are able to grow, flourish and achieve great things, and that’s something that I support whole-heartedly.

Filed Under: International, Travel Tagged With: all-inclusive resort, beaches, beaches negril, beaches resort, beaches resort reviews, beachesmoms, charities, charity, charity party, christmas, christmas party, foundation, fundraising, jamaica, jamaica resort, jamaica vacation, negril, resort, resorts, sandals, sandals foundation, vacation

Comments

  1. MrDisco says

    February 5, 2014 at 8:28 pm

    That’s a great write up documenting the good work they do for local communities

    Reply
  2. Kristina Ziegler says

    February 5, 2014 at 10:41 pm

    This is amazing! Inspiring!

    Reply
  3. Erika B says

    February 5, 2014 at 10:48 pm

    That is so amazing, brings tears to my eyes!!

    Reply
  4. Rick F says

    February 5, 2014 at 10:53 pm

    Very nice

    Reply
  5. Isabel T says

    February 5, 2014 at 10:54 pm

    Cool!

    Reply
  6. Anne Taylor says

    February 5, 2014 at 11:01 pm

    Bravo to all involved! I thoroughly enjoyed reading this. Thanks

    Reply
  7. Wanda Tracey says

    February 5, 2014 at 11:08 pm

    I am proud of you and your boys for the awesome spirit you have in giving for the Sandals Foundation and helping out with the community.This was so inspiring to read about.

    Reply
  8. Shannon Gnocato says

    February 5, 2014 at 11:11 pm

    What an awesome way to give back and such a great moment to share with your kids.

    Reply
  9. Laurie M. says

    February 5, 2014 at 11:20 pm

    The joy of the children must have felt so great to see. This will be a wonderful memory for you and your kids.

    Reply
  10. Christy says

    February 6, 2014 at 12:34 am

    what an amazing experience – a memory that will last a lifetime

    Reply
  11. Cheryl Free says

    February 6, 2014 at 4:35 am

    It’s so nice to see a big corporate moneymaker giving back.

    Reply
  12. Chandra Christine O'Connor says

    February 6, 2014 at 6:14 am

    that is heart warming,

    Reply
  13. Veronica S. says

    February 6, 2014 at 7:10 am

    I had no idea Sandals did all this! How wonderful!

    Reply
  14. Florence C says

    February 6, 2014 at 7:57 am

    What a great experience and wonderful way for Sandals to give back.

    Reply
  15. Donnas says

    February 6, 2014 at 7:57 am

    An amazing experience I’m sure, and the school children look so nice, all of them wearing uniforms.

    Reply
  16. kathy downey says

    February 6, 2014 at 8:01 am

    wow,amazing experience for you and your boys,it sure makes a persom feel good after reading this and to know there are still good people like you

    Reply
  17. Debbie W says

    February 6, 2014 at 8:20 am

    It’s nice to make a difference. A cause that is close to my heart.

    Reply
  18. Heather Howard says

    February 6, 2014 at 9:00 am

    Would love to be able to be a part of something like this! Awesome!

    Reply
  19. Chantal Fray says

    February 6, 2014 at 9:02 am

    So very inspiring!! Thank you!

    Reply
  20. natasha severson says

    February 6, 2014 at 9:02 am

    this is amazing! I woiuld love to have my whole family apart of something like this! its a real eye changer!

    Reply
  21. Robyn L says

    February 6, 2014 at 10:01 am

    a great experience for you and the boys; so nice of you to do this

    Reply
  22. Gord says

    February 6, 2014 at 10:50 am

    Very nice.

    Reply
  23. kristen visser says

    February 6, 2014 at 1:07 pm

    so heart felt and very inspiring! thank you for the post 🙂

    Reply
  24. Lynda Cook says

    February 6, 2014 at 1:28 pm

    great post, kudos to Sandals

    Reply
  25. Karen Glatt says

    February 6, 2014 at 2:08 pm

    This is an incredible charity that gives these kids so much hope and all the kids loved their Christmas presents. I thought that all the children were dressed in very nice clothes, and I just loved seeing all the happy faces!

    Reply
  26. Melanie Camirand says

    February 6, 2014 at 4:24 pm

    Great pictures!

    Reply
  27. Sherry K. says

    February 6, 2014 at 5:09 pm

    How great for your boys

    Reply
  28. Heidi C. says

    February 7, 2014 at 12:17 am

    Would love to visit the Riviera Maya with my hubby!

    Reply
  29. Nicky says

    February 7, 2014 at 9:22 am

    very nice, so heartwarming!

    Reply
  30. Stephanie LaPlante says

    February 7, 2014 at 2:24 pm

    Look at all those beautiful faces <3

    Reply
  31. beth says

    February 7, 2014 at 6:29 pm

    I think it is so great to share this experience with your kids. What a pleasure to be able be to share some things that we we may take for granted

    Reply
  32. Victoria Ess says

    February 8, 2014 at 10:34 am

    That looks like such a wonderful experience. Thanks for sharing it with us.

    Reply
  33. sarah sar says

    February 9, 2014 at 12:07 pm

    What a lovely feel good post! Must’ve been a great experience for you and the boys!

    Reply
  34. DebH says

    February 9, 2014 at 2:51 pm

    What an awesome experience! Wasn’t aware of this Sandals foundation.

    Reply
  35. Lindsay C says

    February 10, 2014 at 5:21 pm

    I love hearing about companies that give back. It makes me much more likely to support them in the future.

    Reply
  36. Anna W says

    February 11, 2014 at 11:08 am

    Very nice to see that you and your children were able to experience that. Giving back is such a wonderful thing. I love reading stories like this, thank you.

    Reply
  37. Teresa Claire says

    February 12, 2014 at 4:59 pm

    This is a great cultural experience for the boys! The school picture is such a contrast to our educational system.

    Reply
  38. Holly Wright says

    February 16, 2014 at 3:58 pm

    awesome! would love to visit

    Reply
  39. Jody D says

    February 16, 2014 at 4:22 pm

    I was unaware Sandals had that Foundation, very nice to see! Glad you got to be part of it!

    Reply
  40. Nena Sinclair says

    February 16, 2014 at 10:02 pm

    I would love to go there! It looks warm! It’s great that they have this foundation to help people!

    Reply
  41. Brooke Takhar says

    February 18, 2014 at 2:15 am

    Lovely – thanks so much for sharing.

    Reply
  42. Bruce Livingston says

    February 21, 2014 at 10:02 pm

    Very interesting, great read!

    Reply
  43. Emily Chui says

    February 27, 2014 at 8:16 am

    this is so inspiring!

    Reply
  44. Piroska says

    February 27, 2014 at 11:33 am

    A very inspirational post. I really believe that the key to helping is through education and literacy. It’s great knowing that there are agencies out there like this one, and caring, compassionate people.

    Reply
  45. Christy Martin says

    February 28, 2014 at 9:56 am

    I had no idea Sandals did this or had a foundation. What a great experience for you and your boys!

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

facebook button twitter button instagram button youtube button pinterest button rss button

Current Giveaways

  • The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge On the Run Is Out Now on Blu-ray and DVD-Giveaway
Jeulia Wedding Jewelry 2021

Moms find kids tutu dresses on DHgate.com

Get discount codes on Baby and Children Clothing

Car Seat and Stroller coupons at BrokeScholar.com

Enter your e-mail address:

Powered by FeedPress

Copyright © 2021 · Lifestyle Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in