Despite doing 16 treats in schools and various communities during the holiday season, the one the ambassadors of the Sandals Foundation in the Montego Bay region were more eagerly awaiting took place just before the dawn of a new year, when the team feted scores of street people at the Care Centre in the second city.

The large group of hotel volunteers made up of team members from Sandals Royal Caribbean and Sandals Montego Bay ensured the homeless, less fortunate and those who live on the streets of the tourism capital heralded in 2023 with a hot meal, pastries and ice cream.

The Care Centre is a haven for the homeless and less fortunate in the city, where they are able to secure meals, clothing and other assistance. Sandals Regional Public Relations Manager Ian Spencer, who led the volunteers, was over the moon at the fact that they could once again fete the needy.

“This is one of the treats that we look forward to every year and we were disappointed we could not do it the past two years. However, this year we are back and the smiles and appreciation we received were more than worth the effort. This is really a labour of love for us,” he said.

Spencer brought greetings on behalf of his general managers Dawn Smith of Sandals Royal Caribbean and Christopher Elliott of Sandals Montego Bay, and pledged that the Sandals Foundation would be working much closer with Care Centre in 2023 “to help them fulfil their mission in a more tangible way”.

In appreciation of the resort chain’s commitment to the homeless, the Care Centre presented the Sandals Foundation with a citation to mark the return of the event which had been sidelined for the past two years by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The citation read: “To the Sandals Foundation in grateful recognition of your dedication and outstanding effort towards making this mission a better change agent that positively impacts the lives we touch every day.”

Administrator of the Care Centre, Sandra Henry, was effusive in her praise of the work of the foundation which has been an integral part of the centre’s activities for a number of years. She expressed their appreciation and said she looked forward to the continued partnership with the charitable organisation in the coming years.

Robert Scott, who lives on the streets of Montego Bay, said he always looks forward to the treats by the Sandals Foundation, not just because of the meals and goodies but the care and love that the team always shows to him and his fellow street people. “One love,” he remarked.