KINGSTON — The Sandals Foundation is spreading joy and happiness this holiday season to over 10,000 children through its Annual Holiday Toy Drive.

Considered a staple calendar event for more than a decade, the Drive is made possible through the generation donation of valued partner Hasbro, Inc. Additional support comes by way of Sandals Resorts and Beaches Resorts’ team members, visiting guests and travel industry partners.

James McAnally, General Manager at Beaches Turks & Caicos Resort Villages & Spa (centre) poses with team members before safely delivering toys to targeted children across the island with the help of The Salvation Army

While the customary on-site holiday festivities will not be held this year, The Salvation Army, police force, schools and local community groups will be carefully distributing more than 10,800 toys to children across the Caribbean, all while following health and safety protocols of the respective countries.

According to Heidi Clarke, Executive Director at the Sandals Foundation, it was critical to maintain a semblance of normalcy, particularly during the holidays and in light of the challenges this year.

“Christmas is a magical time for children and this year should be no different,” she said. “Because it has been such a tough time for families across the Caribbean, it was even more important for us to do what we could to help bring joy and, of course, a sense of hope through the delivery of these gifts.”

Clarke added: “Our invaluable partners at Hasbro have been truly supportive of our mission and we are pleased that we have been able to find a way to get these toys safely in the hands of some of our most deserving children.”

Shipments of toys have been delivered in the Bahamas, Jamaica, Turks and Caicos, Antigua, St. Lucia, Grenada and Barbados.

For more information go to www.sandalsfoundation.org.