NEW YORK (June 2011) - Sandals Resorts, in conjunction with The Sandals Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Sandals Resorts International (SRI), has launched Reading Road Trip, the resort company's first official voluntourism program. Reading Road Trip is a volunteer literacy program aimed at improving listening, reading and comprehension skills of local children between the ages of 5 and 7 and expands on programming developed by the Sandals Foundation through their school adoption policy. Available to all guests of Sandals Resorts,, Beaches Resorts or Grand Pineapple Beach Resorts ages 8 and up, Reading Road Trip is a two-hour program that takes guests into the community to one of the Foundation's participating adopted basic and primary schools in Saint Lucia, Antigua, the Bahamas, Turks & Caicos or Jamaica to engage small groups of children in active reading strategies. Facilitators will be on hand to guide participants on how to engage and encourage children.
"The chance to `give back' has been a customer request for some time, so we are thrilled to finally be able to offer our guests the opportunity to take part in the work we consider so vitally important," said Sandals Resorts International CEO and President of the Sandals Foundation's Board of Directors, Adam Stewart.
Reading Road Trip is offered every Thursday from 9am until 11am when schools are in session, September through mid-June. The cost is US$20 per person, which covers round-trip transportation and all supplies. Children 8-12 years of age can participate at no cost and all minors must be accompanied by an adult. Volunteers are encouraged to bring along a favorite new or gently-used book to donate to the library of the school they visit.
"It's an extraordinary thing to connect with the people of a place; to know them and to make a real difference in their lives," says Stewart. "This is our first step into developing programming that allows our guests to do just that. I expect guests who participate will leave our resorts feeling fabulous - body and soul."
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The Sandals Foundation:
The Sandals Foundation is the philanthropic arm of Sandals Resorts International, with nearly three decades of real and lasting commitment to our commitments. As part of the vibrant and vital Caribbean community, the Sandals Foundation is committed to investments, which create a positive and sustainable impact on people's lives and the environment. The Sandals Foundation funds projects in the Caribbean in three key areas: education, environment and community.
All administrative and management costs associated with the Sandals Foundation are supported by Sandals Resorts International, therefore 100 percent of all funds raised by the foundation go directly to programs benefiting the Caribbean community.
More information about the Sandals Foundation can be found at www.sandalsfoundation.org
Sandals Resorts:
Sandals Resorts has earned a worldwide reputation for providing two people in love with the most romantic vacation experience in the Caribbean. Currently, there are 14 Luxury Included? Sandals Resorts located in Jamaica, Antigua, Saint Lucia and The Bahamas. Each offers stunning beachfront locations; a choice of à la carte restaurants, from white-glove dining to barefoot elegance; all premium brand wine and spirits, including an exclusive partnership with California's legendary Beringer Vineyards; luxurious accommodations in a range of categories; unrivaled watersports including the Caribbean's largest PADI certification program; Butler Service for truly indulgent pampering; Sandals Weddings by Martha StewartTM; and signature Red Laner Spas, with services and treatments inspired by the region.
Sandals Resorts has set the industry standard for the Luxury Included? vacation and has been voted the Caribbean's Leading Hotel Brand at the World Travel Awards for 17 years in a row, and World's Leading All-Inclusive Company for 15 years in a row. For more information, call your local travel agent or 1-800-Sandals (1-800-726-3257) or visit www.sandals.com.
Contacts:
Cathy Decker
Lou Hammond & Associates
cathyd@lhammond.com
212.891.0213
Stacy Royal
Lou Hammond & Associates
stacyr@lhammond.com
212.891.0218
Kristin Mahan
Lou Hammond & Associates
kristinm@lhammond.com
212.891.0228
"The chance to `give back' has been a customer request for some time, so we are thrilled to finally be able to offer our guests the opportunity to take part in the work we consider so vitally important," said Sandals Resorts International CEO and President of the Sandals Foundation's Board of Directors, Adam Stewart.
Reading Road Trip is offered every Thursday from 9am until 11am when schools are in session, September through mid-June. The cost is US$20 per person, which covers round-trip transportation and all supplies. Children 8-12 years of age can participate at no cost and all minors must be accompanied by an adult. Volunteers are encouraged to bring along a favorite new or gently-used book to donate to the library of the school they visit.
"It's an extraordinary thing to connect with the people of a place; to know them and to make a real difference in their lives," says Stewart. "This is our first step into developing programming that allows our guests to do just that. I expect guests who participate will leave our resorts feeling fabulous - body and soul."
# # #
The Sandals Foundation:
The Sandals Foundation is the philanthropic arm of Sandals Resorts International, with nearly three decades of real and lasting commitment to our commitments. As part of the vibrant and vital Caribbean community, the Sandals Foundation is committed to investments, which create a positive and sustainable impact on people's lives and the environment. The Sandals Foundation funds projects in the Caribbean in three key areas: education, environment and community.
All administrative and management costs associated with the Sandals Foundation are supported by Sandals Resorts International, therefore 100 percent of all funds raised by the foundation go directly to programs benefiting the Caribbean community.
More information about the Sandals Foundation can be found at www.sandalsfoundation.org
Sandals Resorts:
Sandals Resorts has earned a worldwide reputation for providing two people in love with the most romantic vacation experience in the Caribbean. Currently, there are 14 Luxury Included? Sandals Resorts located in Jamaica, Antigua, Saint Lucia and The Bahamas. Each offers stunning beachfront locations; a choice of à la carte restaurants, from white-glove dining to barefoot elegance; all premium brand wine and spirits, including an exclusive partnership with California's legendary Beringer Vineyards; luxurious accommodations in a range of categories; unrivaled watersports including the Caribbean's largest PADI certification program; Butler Service for truly indulgent pampering; Sandals Weddings by Martha StewartTM; and signature Red Laner Spas, with services and treatments inspired by the region.
Sandals Resorts has set the industry standard for the Luxury Included? vacation and has been voted the Caribbean's Leading Hotel Brand at the World Travel Awards for 17 years in a row, and World's Leading All-Inclusive Company for 15 years in a row. For more information, call your local travel agent or 1-800-Sandals (1-800-726-3257) or visit www.sandals.com.
Contacts:
Cathy Decker
Lou Hammond & Associates
cathyd@lhammond.com
212.891.0213
Stacy Royal
Lou Hammond & Associates
stacyr@lhammond.com
212.891.0218
Kristin Mahan
Lou Hammond & Associates
kristinm@lhammond.com
212.891.0228