Beaches Turks and Caicos Resort Villages and Spa – the largest hotel property in the TCI - recently launched its annual food drive, dubbed "Share your Christmas" as part of its efforts to give back to the surrounding communities in Providenciales.
The outreach programme, spearheaded by the resort’s Environment, Health, and Safety (EHS) Department, was created to raise canned and non-perishable food items, to support the Department of Social Development of Turks and Caicos, which assists in providing supplemental care and domestic services to vulnerable individuals in the Turks and Caicos Islands, such as single mothers, children, the disabled, and the elderly.
Over the two-month period of the food drive, Beaches team members were invited to donate non-perishable food items including canned food, toiletries, rice, soap, oil, flour, and sugar.
General Manager James McAnally shared that, “As a resort we value the essence of team work as we continue to empower our team to be make a positive impact in the communities in which we operate. With the help of the Environment Health and Safety team, the resort staff and management, we were able to partner with the government entities to provide well-needed supplies for members of the communities who were most in need.”
Shuntal Gibson, EHS Manager, also stated that the Beaches team members have a family spirit and are always willing to help the community in any way they can.
“Beaches Turks and Caicos staff members operate as a family when it comes on to being helpful. Any opportunity that we get to share and give back to those in need is gladly accepted as we partner in the collection and distribution of food and household items. The items that we received from the team members allowed us to put together packages for distribution which we are anticipating will be well appreciated,” Gibson said.
Gibson also urged other corporations to join in assisting citizens who lost their jobs during the pandemic or are still struggling to recover due to poor health or other unforeseen circumstances.
"As a corporate leader in our local communities we are also sending a charge to other corporate citizens in the community to mobilize and assist in this effort. Those who could once provide productive hours for work are now unable to do so and require corporate assistance. Let us join our hands and hearts to assist those in greatest need," she further stated.
"Small acts of kindness can come in the form of donations," said Devi-Ann Parkins, Red Lane Spa Manager, one of the initiative's major drivers.
She added: “Because these people are in need, any size donation is welcome, and any contribution will be greatly appreciated. These donations make people in need feel cared for, giving them hope and happiness knowing that they are not alone. Most importantly, it makes them feel loved."
The resort said it was happy that its employees could make a difference in the lives of others by sharing what they had, to make TCI and the world a better place.