The Sandals Foundation and American Airlines Team Up to Airlift Much-Needed Help to Haiti
As the devastation in Haiti continues to unfold, it is hard not to feel extreme sadness at the sight of so much suffering, especially in a neighbor country. But the resiliency and strength of the Haitian people and the amazing response of the rest of the world which has reached out to help relieve conditions on the island also has made me feel a lot of hope and convinced me that slowly, but surely, things will get better in Haiti. Especially if we continue to do our part!
I mentioned last time that The Sandals Foundation, through the establishment of the Haiti Relief Fund was launching a series of initiatives to aid the Haitian people in their recovery from this disaster. Well, I’m proud to report the very latest news about our efforts. The Sandals Foundation has joined forces with American Airlines, and their regional carrier American Eagle, to deliver much-needed supplies, including water, food, shoes and medicine, as well as medical personnel to the island. Through the incredibly generous donations that we have already received from our Sandals Resorts' team members, from Unique Vacations employees and from caring people like you all over the world, The Sandals Foundation is underwriting the cost of 10 humanitarian relief flights from San Juan, Puerto Rico to Haiti, which will start flying on February 2nd and continue three times a week through February 23rd. Our partner in this mission, American Airlines, will coordinate the relief supplies and will fly them down to the island on American Eagle ATR-72 aircraft, which have the capacity to transport 10,000 pounds of supplies and relief workers per flight!
So, while Haiti continues to struggle with the aftermath of this awful natural disaster, at least we can keep on doing everything in our power to reach out and deliver the help that they need in order to begin rebuilding their country and their lives.
I’ll keep you posted on the progress of our ongoing initiatives as we move forward. Thank you for all that you’ve done and given and please know that any further contributions that you are able to make will surely be appreciated.
Together we are helping Haiti to emerge from the rubble and start over!
These photos, provided by Salesian Missions, one of The Sandals Foundation’s partners in carrying out our Haiti Relief Effort, really show the spirit and resilience of the Haitian people, especially the kids, even in the face of so much destruction.
Still smiling even in front of all the ruins behind them.
Even with very little resources available, the people make do and create makeshift shelters and temporary homes.
Signs that the aid relief efforts are starting to make an impact can be seen in this tiny tent city.
Even small children are doing their part to make sure that water gets delivered.
In the middle of so much chaos and rubble, this little girl is determined to offer hope for a better day ahead.
Kudos to Sandals for helping Haitian neighbors in need. My husband and I just returned from a wonderful vacation at Sandals Halcyon in St. Lucia. While we were there, we were able to contribute to other Sandals Foundation efforts (Feed the hungry gift cards, rag dolls to provide income for a school for children with special needs). As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, I tend to see things through my own kind of prism, and have some thoughts on additional ways that Sandals could reach out, both to the needy, and to potential vacationers. Any ideas on whom to contact, and how to contact them?
For more information on the Sandals Foundation, please contact Heidi Clarke, Director of Programs. She can be reached at heidi.clarke@grp.sandals.com.
