TORONTO — The YellowBird Foundation has announced a new partnership with Reps4Rent ahead of its annual fundraising event, the YellowBird Charity Golf Classic tournament, taking place May 19, 2023 at Glen Abbey Golf Course in Oakville, ON.

As the official event planner, Reps4Rent, which was launched in September 2022 by travel industry veteran Dianne Jackson, will be tasked with overseeing the tournament’s many popular activities, including raffles and the silent auction. Unlike previous tournaments, which supported educational initiatives across the Caribbean, especially in destinations devastated by hurricanes, this year’s event will raise funds in support of children impacted by the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

“After many years attending as a golfer at Yellowbird, I am thrilled that Reps4Rent has been selected as the event planner for the premier golf tournament in our industry,” says Jackson. “The support the YellowBird Foundation has given to our favourite sun destinations over the years has truly been inspiring. And new this year, it’s looking to support Ukraine after the devastation left by the war, which is a worthy cause that we should all be keen to support.”

This year’s tournament will be back to its pre-pandemic size and format with 128 golfers and many sponsorship opportunities. In addition to hitting the links, participants will enjoy a sit-down lunch and several new fundraising initiatives. Those unable to participate in person are encouraged to donate a raffle prize or an item for the silent auction, or make a simple donation, all of which, says Jackson, are needed.

“Between the lockdowns of COVID-19 and the war in Ukraine, there is a need now more than ever to give back to the places we love to visit,” says Jackson.

Speaking on behalf of Sandals Resorts, a longstanding partner of the YellowBird Foundation, Maureen Barnes-Smith, Vice-President, Sales & Marketing, Canada, Unique Vacations Canada Inc., Affiliate of Unique Travel Corp., worldwide representatives of Sandals Resorts and Beaches Resorts, reflected on the significant impact that YellowBird has had on countless lives across the Caribbean.

“The incredible assistance the Foundation has provided, whether it’s building new schools in Jamaica or repairing ones damaged by hurricanes in Turks & Caicos and everything inbetween, has been remarkable,” says Barnes-Smith. “The return of its annual golf tournament and key fundraising event is most welcome, and we’re excited to see the Canadian travel industry come out to lend their support to the YellowBird Foundation.”

For over 15 years, the YellowBird Foundation has been fully committed to making a difference in the lives of children around the world, launching several initiatives over the years including:

• Ianthe Pratt Primary School in Turks and Caicos, one of several institutions on the island that was affected by Hurricane Irma and Hurricane Maria, has been fully refurbished. Starting in 2019, the project, launched with the support of the YellowBird Foundation, the Sandals Foundation, 100 elite influencers and the Ministry of Education in Turks and Caicos, included electrical and plumbing, new windows, flooring and cabinets, paint and more. Ianthe Pratt is home to over 500 students ranging in ages from 4 to 12 years old.
• Enid Capron Primary school in Turks and Caicos, which has suffered major structural damage as a result of several hurricanes over the years, has been refurbished, with renovations being made to the school kitchen, the nurse station, computer lab and the teacher resource room.
• The YellowBird Foundation has fully funded and organized the installation of solar panels at several schools in Jamaica.
• Partnering with The Sandals Foundation and Toronto’s SickKids Hospital, the YellowBird Foundation has helped children living with cancer in the Caribbean get the best care and treatment possible.
• The YellowBird Foundation has donated funds to The Grenada Goat Dairy School Project for the construction of a facility to teach local children about dairy milk production, environmental sustainability and small businesses.
• The construction of the Culloden Early Childhood Institution in Culloden, Jamaica was done with support of the YellowBird Foundation.
• Funds were donated to the Campbell’s Castle Basic School Construction Project in Windsor Forest, Jamaica to help build additional classrooms, bathroom facilities and a kitchen.
• The YellowBird Foundation was a supporter of Mathematics Among Primary Schools in Grenada, which helped the country improve the teaching of mathematics
• Funds raised from the YellowBird Online Silent Auction went in support of the Canadian Tsunami Relief Effort in Thailand in 2006.
• In its early years, the YellowBird Foundation donated more than $50,000 to various causes, including the rebuilding of the Anglican High School, which was severely damaged by Hurricane Ivan in 2004.

For more information about participating in the YellowBird Charity Golf Classic tournament, sponsorship or donating prizing, contact Reps4Rent at yellowbird@reps4rent.com.