Frenchman's Reef Resort employees hand out gifts to children at the Caribbean Center for Boys & Girls Bovoni Housing Community. By. The USVI Hotel & Tourism Association
Holiday cheer was abundant this week as over 300 children on St. Thomas and St. John received gifts distributed by the USVI Hotel & Tourism Association (USVIHTA) and association member Frenchman’s Reef Resort, according to release issued Thursday night. Thanks to a generous $5,000 donation from Frenchman’s Reef Resort to purchase toys, USVIHTA and its members were able to continue their annual holiday toy distribution event.
“The last few years have been difficult for our community. The 2017 storms followed by the pandemic have created a series of financial hardships for families and businesses. It’s a testament to our members and the people of the U.S. Virgin Islands that we continue to uphold our mission to support our community and its families regardless of what challenges we’re facing. We’re all in this together, and there’s no better way to celebrate that than by uplifting one another,” said USVIHTA President Lisa Hamilton.
According to the release, gifts were given to 309 children this week and will continue into next week at the Boys & Girls Club Oswald Harris Court, Boys & Girls Club St. John, Caribbean Center for Boys & Girls Bovoni Housing Community, Michael J. Kirwan Terrace Housing Community and the Salvation Army. Children receiving gifts range from infants to teenagers.
Kurt Wiksten, managing director, Frenchman's Reef Resort was on hand to distribute gifts on behalf of the Reef and USVIHTA. “Our Frenchman's Reef family is honored to be a part of so many island holiday traditions including this gift of toys. Judging by the smiles, this is going to be a very Merry Christmas!”
Frenchman’s Reef Resort has been integral this year in supporting USVIHTA’s initiatives despite the current economic climate. The resort donated 50 turkeys for families and Boys & Girls Club staff in November. The Reef and other members also contributed food, beverages and additional resources for USVIHTA’s annual Thanksgiving celebration at the Oswald Harris Court center.
