FOR Labour Day 2025, Sandals and Beaches Resorts mobilised more than 200 volunteers to revitalise schools and public spaces across Jamaica, in support of the national theme: ‘Protect the Environment: Our Land, Our Duty, Our Future’.

The initiative showcased a shared commitment to making Jamaica a better place to live and visit.

In St Ann, Sandals Dunn’s River and Sandals Royal Plantation joined forces to give Lime Hall Basic School a vibrant new look.

Volunteers from both resorts rolled up their sleeves to paint classrooms and outdoor spaces, transforming the school into a brighter, more inspiring place for students and teachers.

Lime Hall Basic’s Principal Basle Nunes expressed her deepest gratitude, “The fresh paint has breathed new energy into our school. It shows the children how much their education and well-being matter to the community”.

Other volunteers from Sandals Ochi and Beaches Ocho Rios were dispatched to paint sections of the St Ann’s Bay Hospital and the Special Education Unit at the Boscobel Primary School.

In Montego Bay, with support from the Sandals Foundation, enthusiastic volunteers from Sandals Montego Bay and Sandals Royal Caribbean gave the Whitehouse Early Childhood Centre — which serves the communities of Whitehouse, Flanker and Providence — a complete makeover.

Volunteers repainted interior and exterior walls, replaced and painted doors and created a new space for a school garden. Volunteers also cleared away old, unusable furniture — making space for growth and learning.

“Our mission was to create a space that feels warm, inspiring and rooted in environmental consciousness,” said Rochelle Forbes-Reid, regional public relations manager at Sandals Resorts.

“We want children to feel proud of where they learn and inspired by what their environment can offer when cared for,” added Forbes-Reid.

Sandals Montego Bay General Manager Christopher Elliott praised the collaborative spirit that fuelled the day’s success.

“Today we participated with our Sandals volunteers, alongside volunteers from other organisations who showed up and got to work. This kind of unity is what Jamaica needs more of, and this year’s Labour Day project is testament to the fact that when the public and private sectors unite, they have the power to help drive change,” said Elliot.

Partners at the Labour Day project site in Montego Bay included JPS VOLTS, the Gwava Group, MBJ Airports and VIP Attractions.

“JPS is proud to partner with Sandals and the Sandals Foundation in transforming the Whitehouse Early Childhood Centre,” said Anna-Kay Toyloy, key account executive.

“Sustainable development starts with our children. By investing in them, we plant hope and power the promise of a brighter future,” added Toyloy.

The team also supported the wider Whitehouse community by painting the local fishing co-op building and donating supplies to help rejuvenate additional spaces.

In Hanover, volunteers from Sandals Negril and Beaches Negril teamed up with officers from the Green Island Police Station to refresh the Green Island Health Centre.

This much-needed facelift enhanced a facility that serves hundreds across nearby communities.

“We, the management team of Hanover Health Services and the team of health-care workers at Green Island Health Centre are excited and feeling renewed by this partnership with the Sandals Negril team to undertake the Labour Day project at our facility, “said Aldwayne Beckford, parish manager for Hanover Health Services.

“Giving our facility a facelift will put a smile on the faces of both our clients and staff. Together, we can build healthy families in healthy communities by fostering healthy working conditions and environs to deliver quality health care and services,” Beckford added.

Further West, in the true spirit of giving back, Sandals South Coast marked this year’s Labour Day with a beautification project at Petersville Basic School, an institution long cherished by the resort.

A team of 30 passionate volunteers, including members of the Whitehouse Marine Sanctuary, came together in a labour of love to give the school a much-needed facelift.

The team repainted the school building and revitalised its look, creating a brighter, more welcoming environment for students and staff. Volunteers also rolled up their sleeves for some pruning and minor grounds work, tying a beautiful bow on a meaningful and impactful day.

Among the volunteers was Everney Taylor from the Sandals Cost Control team, who shared her deep connection to the initiative.

“Each year, I look forward to Labour Day with Sandals because it’s more than just giving back; it’s about being present for our children. As a volunteer and as a parent, it fills me with pride to know I’m helping to create a safe and beautiful space where children can grow and thrive. This school holds a special place in our hearts and being here reminds me why we do what we do,” said Taylor.

From coast to coast, these Labour Day initiatives perfectly reflected this year’s Labour Day slogan ‘Jamaica Nice, Protect Wi Paradise’ as well as the heart and soul of Sandals and Beaches Resorts—an unwavering commitment to community, sustainability, and national pride.

With their tools of choice in hand and ready for a productive Labour Day at the Whitehouse Early Childhood Centre are (from left) Leroy Reid, director of customer relations at JPS; Carl Whyte, founder and president of the GWAVE Group; Christopher Elliott, general manager of Sandals Montego Bay; and Sherifa Powell, chief financial officer at MBJ Airports Limited.x

Environment, health and safety manager at Sandals South Coast Jardine Vassell shared a smile with the camera as she tackled wiping down a few dusty beams at the resort’s Labour Day initiative at Petersville Basic School.x