Flight Centre and The Sandals Foundation team up to make a difference

VANCOUVER , Sept. 29 /CNW/ - Over 400 Flight Centre employees descended on Beaches Turks & Caicos Resort Villages & Spa, Providenciales to hold their National Leadership Conference. For the first time ever, the conference included community based volunteer activities that had them completing 10 projects in conjunction with the Sandals Foundation that had a direct positive impact on the people and destination of Turks & Caicos. It was the largest community outreach program of its kind ever held on the island.

The list of projects included the re-building of vegetable and reading gardens to planting mangroves and building playgrounds for local children. Flight Centre asked each of its shops and businesses sending representatives to the leadership conference in September to raise money to cover the cost of materials, tools and transportation in order to make the projects happen. To make the donation even more significant, the company matched its staff's fundraising efforts dollar for dollar which led to a cheque presentation for $50,000 to Adam Stewart , CEO of Sandals Resorts International.

"We are so extremely grateful and quite frankly overwhelmed by the commitment and generosity of Flight Centre in taking on this initiative, the first and largest of its kind within our Sandals Foundation," said Adam Stewart , CEO, Sandals Resorts International. "Through Flight Centre's example and our ongoing partnership with them, we will not only enhance the lives of our Caribbean communities but further engage the travel industry and consumers alike in the opportunities to make a difference."

"Working on these projects gave us a chance to give back to the destinations that help us make a living - it was our chance to prove that we are responsible and caring travel professionals by getting engaged in some charitable work with our great partner, Sandals, and our friends - the Caribbean locals." said Flight Centre President Greg Dixon . "Flight Centre is a company made up of incredibly passionate and dedicated people. This was our chance to show ourselves and the travel industry how working together can produce amazing results. We are leaving a legacy and starting a trend that we hope lasts for years to come."

About Flight Centre

Flight Centre ( Canada ) is a leading retailer of travel products and services for the leisure and corporate markets. Flight Centre's presence in Canada includes more than 150 shops & businesses and over 1,000 staff across the country. www.flightcentre.ca

About the Sandals Foundation

The Sandals Foundation is the philanthropic arm of Sandals Resorts International. It is the culmination of three decades of dedication to playing a meaningful role in the lives of the communities where the company operates across the Caribbean. www.sandalsfoundation.org

    
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For further information: Media enquiries to: Allison Wallace, Communications Manager, Flight Centre North America, Tel: [phone], E: [email protected]; Joan Haines, Coastal International for Sandals & Beaches Resorts, T: [phone], E: [email protected]