In response to the devastating earthquake in Haiti, the Sandals resort chain recently partnered with the many employees and resort guests at Sandals Grande Antigua Resort and Spa in an effort to raise funds to donate to the victims of Haiti.

The donation took the form of a managers auction, where a number of selected managers represented a special package for Sandals returnee guests to bid on with a view to raising cash donations for the Haiti Relief Fund.

“By offering many of the Sandals special existing packages, our employees and guests were engaged in the relief effort.  For instance, I represented an instant upgrade to our Luxury Ocean Villa, which automatically came with butler service, a honeymoon champagne breakfast served in bed by myself.  Naturally guests were encouraged to make a bid,” Gerald Christ, general manager of Sandals Resort,  said. 

Christ continued: “Other packages included a romantic dinner for two on the beach under the stars prepared by our top executive chef, served by one of our hotel managers, Cletus Pancham.  As you can imagine, the better the prize the higher the bid!  It was exciting stuff all for a good cause.
“Like so many people, we as a team at Sandals wanted to help, we realised that we could not go to Haiti, but wanted to help in some small way, so we tapped into our own resources and raised funds to help the people of Haiti by encouraging our guests to bid where the proceeds would be directly donated to two non-profit organisations, The Salesian Missions and Services International,” Christ said.

Other activities included staff contributions and additional guest donations.  Combined these with the fund-raiser event where over 100 guests placed bids to the many packages, the charity effort raised an impressive US$11,000.

“I think if companies can look at their resources and see what little way they can help – it will go along way to helping the people of Haiti get back on track,” Christ said.