MONTEGO BAY — The Sandals Foundation has completed its largest toy drive to date, delivering 45,000 toys to children across nine Caribbean islands during the 2025 holiday season.

Led by the Sandals Foundation, the annual initiative was supported by toy industry partners Spin Master, Jazwares and The Toy Foundation. Since its inception more than a decade ago, the Foundation has delivered more than 170,000 toys.

Rows of donated toys fill tables at Sandals South Coast in Jamaica, ready to bring joy to more than 400 children from Whitehouse, Westmoreland.

“The holidays are about hope, the kind that reassures every child that they are seen, valued and deeply loved, and we’re incredibly grateful to all the partners and volunteers who have been part of this legacy of giving over the years,” said Heidi Clarke, Executive Director of the Sandals Foundation.

The toy drive forms part of the Foundation’s broader mission to support Caribbean communities through education, youth development, environmental programs and cultural preservation. Each year, the program focuses on reaching children and families in communities where Sandals Resorts and Beaches Resorts operate.

This year’s deliveries span all nine destinations where the brands have a presence: Jamaica, Antigua, Saint Lucia, The Bahamas, Turks & Caicos, Grenada, Barbados, Curaçao and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.

Spin Master’s Toy Movement, an initiative committed to bringing joy to children everywhere, donated a wide assortment of toys including Rubik’s Cubes, Kinetic Sand kits, puzzles, games and plushies. The Toy Foundation, the philanthropic arm of The Toy Association, contributed plushies, building blocks, LEGOs, dinosaur figurines and more. And Jazwares Cares, the philanthropic arm of global toy company Jazwares, donated 10,000 Squishmallows plush toys. 

O’Brian Heron, General Manager of Sandals South Coast, connects with a young toy drive recipient during a special day focused on giving back to the Westmoreland community.

Beyond toy distribution, the initiative also focused on community engagement and recovery efforts. In Jamaica, 18,000 toys were delivered, with a highlight event held in Whitehouse, Westmoreland, a community still recovering from Hurricane Melissa. More than 400 children enjoyed a day of music, crafts, storytelling, gifts and treats, along with visits from Santa and a group of Sandals “elves.” In partnership with Sesame Workshop, the event also incorporated playful psychosocial activities using Sesame Street characters to help children explore emotions and build coping skills following the storm. 

For more information about the Sandals Foundation, go to www.sandalsfoundation.org.

Lead image: Holiday cheer in action at Sandals South Coast as the Sandals Foundation delivers toys from industry partners Spin Master, Jazwares, and The Toy Foundation