COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND PHILANTHROPY
At Coconut Bay, we believe in investing in the community where our staff live and work encouraging meaningful connections. Guided by the vision of our Chairman, Gary ‘Butch’ Hendrickson, our resort has been a proactive sustainable business for over 19 years drive meaningful social change with the participation from our staff, stakeholders, and our international guests. Our efforts focus on empowering and improving the quality of life for our staff and neighbors through education, healthcare, and charitable initiatives while also taking steps to reduce our environmental footprint.
ABC Fun House Early Learning Centre Adoption
In September 2024 we unveiled the Phase One EC $250,000 renovation of the ABC Fun House Early Learning Centre. This significant milestone marked the start of a four-year project aimed at creating a nurturing, state-of-the-art environment for Saint Lucia’s youngest learners, furthering Coconut Bay’s commitment to early childhood development.
The 2-year-old students’ classroom was transformed with new furniture, storage, and educational tools, including a play kitchen, magnetic board, and the island’s only 75-inch smart TV for a preschool. These resources encourage cognitive and character development through productive play. Additionally, new bathrooms, flooring, and a renovated kitchen create a modern, effective learning environment, and new playground equipment strengthens social interaction.
Beyond the infrastructure, Coconut Bay’s ongoing financial support will ensure teachers receive certifications and training in early childhood education, maintaining the highest standards. Day Passes will also be provided to the school for fundraising efforts.
CocoLand Cares
Education is at the heart of Coconut Bay’s community outreach, representing a core philosophical outlook from our Chairman, who believes in the critical role of educational tools to assist preschoolers in their future growth and learning potential. Launched in 2014, CocoLand Cares provides essential early learning tools that promote literacy, language, and math development to schools across Saint Lucia, with staff personally packing and delivering the materials to both government run and private day cares, pre-schools and special needs centers.
St. Jude HospitalPediatric Ward
St. Jude Hospital, the second largest public hospital in Saint Lucia, provides vital health services to five major districts on the south of the island including many of our staff members and their families. In 2015, Coconut Bay formally adopted the hospital’s Pediatric Ward as they strive to provide the best possible care for their young patients. Through an ongoing Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), we provide physical and financial support to the hospital, including donations of linens, toys, and essential equipment. Coconut Bay’s generous guests have also contributed via our Weekly Rubber Duck Race, raising funds to improve pediatric care and purchase much-needed medical supplies and vital equipment.
Supporting Youth Swimming and Water Safety
Since 2006, Coconut Bay has proudly supported the Southern Flying Fish Swimming Club by providing weekly access to our resort pools for swimming practice. This helps teach essential water safety and swimming skills to toddlers and school-age children, while also promoting this sport within our community. Several club members have gone on to become Saint Lucia’s top competitive swimmers.
Empowering Education through Scholarships
At Coconut Bay, we recognize the importance of supporting education as a cornerstone for future success. Our commitment to local students is exemplified by the Coconut Bay Academic Excellence Award, which provides a full scholarship to a standout graduate from Beanfield Secondary School along with a three-month internship opportunity at the resort.
Building Skills and Careers in Tourism
We join forces with local secondary schools and institutions like Monroe College, NSDC, and SALCC to create opportunities for students and residents interested in tourism careers. Through internships and entry-level positions, students gain hands-on experience and training, with many offered full or part-time roles after completing our three-month internship program.
Our Career Guidance team visits schools annually, helping students explore hospitality careers, improve resume writing, and prepare for interviews. We have engaged students from Piaye Secondary, Beanfield Comprehensive, and Anse Ger Secondary.
In addition to supporting students, Coconut Bay hosts annual Job Fairs and Culinary Fairs for the community, raising awareness about available roles and culinary careers. Participants are interviewed on the spot, with many joining our recruitment pool for future openings. Global and Local Giving Partnerships
Community Care Initiatives
We have unofficially adopted the Comfort Bay Senior Citizens Home in Vieux-Fort, enhancing residents’ quality of life by maintaining grounds, organizing luncheons, and donations of linens, hampers, and TVs. We have also developed a sustainable farming initiative to support their farm-to-table program.
During the holiday season, our “12 Days of Giving” program brings joy to those in need. Staff deliver gifts on the “Santa Train,” visiting children at the St. Jude Hospital Pediatric Ward, primary schools, the Rainbow Children’s Home, and the Special Education Center. We also distribute hampers to the needy and elderly, bring linens to the Bordelais Correctional Facility, and provide meals for the homeless.
Our staff also delivers hampers with food and essentials to disadvantaged residents in neighboring communities, offering consistent support throughout the year.
Supporting Local Economies and Sustainable Sourcing
Coconut Bay is committed to positively impacting the local economy by supporting small businesses, farmers, and artisans. Since 2005, we have partnered with over 600 local farmers and fishermen, incorporating the freshest ingredients into our menus. This responsible sourcing approach ensures that our guests enjoy freshly caught fish and seasonal produce while contributing more than EC$92 million to the local economy over 18 years.
Our twice-weekly Vendors’ Market further supports local artisans by providing a free space for them to sell their crafts, jewelry, and art directly to our guests, creating a vital revenue stream for small businesses.
Coconut Bay has supported a wide range of local and international organizations through donations such as day passes, complimentary stays, dinners, and prizes. Our contributions to community-based charities and initiatives in the US, Canada, the UK, and the Caribbean. Some of our beneficiaries were March of Dimes, Public Broadcasting Stations, Gift of Hope, Mustard Seed, the Cancer Society of Trinidad, CHTA Foundation, JetBlue Foundation, and many others.
We also stand ready to assist our Caribbean neighbors during times of need, mobilizing donations and providing essential supplies, such as lumber and linens, for relief efforts following natural disasters.
