This holiday season, the Sandals Foundation proudly partners with 3 leading forces in the US toy industry — Spin Master, Jazwares, and The Toy Foundation™ — to deliver 45,000 toys to children across 9 Caribbean islands, spreading joy and hope throughout the region.
Rooted in the belief that every child deserves a moment of wonder, this year’s toys, valued at over US$500,000, will bring cheer to children in Jamaica, Antigua, St Lucia, The Bahamas, Turks & Caicos, Grenada, Barbados, Curaçao, and St Vincent and the Grenadines.
“These holidays are about hope — the kind that reminds every child that they are seen, valued, and deeply loved,” said Heidi Clarke, Executive Director of the Sandals Foundation. “We are incredibly grateful to our partners SpinMaster, Jazwares, and The Toy Foundation for spreading joy to 45,000 young lives across the Caribbean.”
With all 3 companies stepping into the Caribbean for the first time, Spin Master, through its inspiring global initiative “The Toy Movement” has donated 15,000 games, puzzles, Rubik’s Cubes, Kinetic Sand Kits, PAW Patrol figurines, plushies, board games, and more — each intended to ignite imagination and reassure children that they are seen, valued, and never forgotten.
“As we continue to advance our mission to give children the magic of play, we’re excited to partner with the Sandals Foundation for the first time,” said Tammy Smitham, VP Communications and Corporate Citizenship, Spin Master. By expanding The Toy Movement to the Caribbean islands, we hope to create new opportunities for children to grow, explore and learn through play.”
The Toy Foundation™, the philanthropic arm of The Toy Association™, has shared a suite of 15,000 plushies, building blocks, dinosaur figurines, with Pamela Mastrota, Executive Director of The Toy Foundation noting, “When a child receives a new toy, it’s more than something to play with, it’s a moment of comfort, connection, and the reassurance that they are cared for and loved.”
For Jazwares Cares, the philanthropic arm of global toy company Jazwares, some 10,000 loveable, huggable Squishmallows plush toys were contributed, with Sara Rosales, Senior Vice President, Communications at Jazwares, noting, “Bringing comfort, joy, and smiles to children is at the heart of what we do. We were happy to partner with the Sandals Foundation to create meaningful moments for families throughout the Caribbean this holiday season.”
In Grenada, more than 50 Sandals Foundation volunteers from Sandals Grenada Resort dedicated their time and care to wrapping and distributing 1,200 toys to children across the country. Beneficiaries included the St Andrew School for Special Education, Uganda Martyrs RC Primary School, Stars & Angels Day Care, Carriacou Christmas at the Botanical Gardens, the Salvation Army Grenada, and several churches — creating unforgettable holiday moments for hundreds of young recipients.
Teacher-in-Charge at the St Andrew School for Special Education Alison Mitchell expressed gratitude. “On behalf of the teachers, students, and even parents of the school, we say thank you for the early Christmas gifts. For those who may ‘not have’, now they can say they have received a Christmas gift. Thank you so much for the delicious lunch and wonderful new gifts, you’ve made today a happy day for all of us.”
Extending the spirit of giving even further, the Sandals Foundation also partnered with the Rotary Club of Grenada to share holiday cheer at Rotary’s Christmas at the Point celebrations.
The warmth of the season — rooted in family, community, and generosity — was brought to life through this initiative, made possible by the Sandals Foundation in collaboration with Spin Master, Jazwares, and The Toy Foundation™.
For 13 years, the Sandals Foundation’s annual toy distribution has been a cherished tradition for communities across the Caribbean, creating memories and joy to last a lifetime.
Sandals Foundation
