Sandals Resorts’ back-to-school drive brings support and hope to families

FOR thousands of Jamaican children, the start of the new school year will come with a little more excitement — and for their parents, a little less worry — thanks to Sandals Resorts’ annual Back-to-School Drive. Across Jamaica’s major tourism regions, Sandals Resorts have again extended its reach beyond the resort gates, providing backpacks, books and other school essentials to children from kindergarten through high school. Team members and their families were also supported through resort-based back-to-school treats and distributions.

Across the Ocho Rios region, the back-to-school season combined education, family fun, wellness and community outreach. Sandals Dunn’s River hosted a two-day Family Fun Day and back-to-school drive for team members and their children, featuring games, entertainment, food and educational activities, while more than 500 team members received backpacks and school supplies for their children. The resort also joined Sandals Royal Plantation and the Steer Town Community Organisation for a family fun day in Steer Town, where more than 500 children received school bags and supplies.

Sandals Royal Plantation sponsored lunch for children and elderly residents, while Sandals Dunn’s River provided complimentary back and neck massages for seniors. Meanwhile, Sandals Ochi Beach Resort partnered with Sandals Foundation and the North East Regional Health Authority (NERHA) to stage a Back-to-School Treat and Wellness Extravaganza at Ocho Rios Primary School, serving approximately 400 children with school supplies and access to health services. Parent Jasette Brown, who attended with her two daughters, welcomed the combination of educational and health support.

“My two girls had their medical check-ups, one got the HPV vaccine, both had their teeth cleaned, plus school bags bursting with supplies,” Brown said. “It was a convenient, all-inclusive service that saved me thousands of dollars.” Joelle Miller from the Island Insider Club at Sandals Ochi is delighted to have her general manager, Charles Blacher, join her in a picture with backpack full of school supplies. More than 700 of the resort’s team members also received school bags and supplies for their children.

In Montego Bay, Sandals and Beaches Resorts’ corporate team members and their families gathered at the Kent Avenue office for a Back to Brilliance treat, where children received ba…