The Island Life - Belize
Giving Back to Our Community
When you stay with us, you’re staying at a socially responsible resort. We are stewards for the reef, ocean, and natural resources that surround our island. We provide Belizeans with stable jobs and a living wage. We treat each other and our guests with respect. And everyone at St. George’s Caye Resort shares a commitment to giving back to our community.
Our Belizean staff sponsors educational scholarships in their home villages; resort manager Barry is an active participant in the local Rotary; and Cap’n Ron joined the board for Full Basket Belize, a nonprofit that awards scholarships and community grants and our gift shop supports local artisans. We also regularly donate resort stays to charity auctions across the US. Read on to learn more about how we’re giving back – and how you can help.
ST. GEORGE’S SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
We take good care of our employees and, in turn, they share their prosperity with their home villages. In 2014 we launched a formal scholarship program to support high school students from the villages our employees call home (in Belize, free education ends after 8th grade). Thanks to the participation of every single member of our staff, we’ve expanded this program from offering one scholarship a year to three. Read about the first year for our first scholarship recipient in the Island Blog.
Successful First Year for St. George’s Scholarship Winner
FULL BASKET BELIZE
Cap’n Ron, owner of St. George’s Caye Resort, has been visiting and doing business in Belize for more than fifteen years – and in that time has supported students and young entrepreneurs. To broaden his impact, Cap’n Ron joined the board of directors for Full Basket Belize(FBB), a volunteer-run nonprofit that provides scholarships and community grants countrywide. At times we run specials where we donate a percentage of our proceeds to FBB—you can join our email list to hear about these opportunities. Or at any time visit www.fullbasketbelize.org to learn more and make a contribution.
CHARITY AUCTIONS
Every year we donate trips to charity auctions across the US to help them raise money for worthy causes—from public radio to mental health. Organizations supported in the past include: WCNY (PBS station in NY), KRCB (PBS station in northern CA), NorthStar Clubhouse, Lake Oswego Rotary, and the Assistance League of Greater Portland.
Do you have a charity auction we should consider supporting? Email Cap’n Ron to let him know.
ROTARY CLUB BELIZE
Resort Manager Barry is a long-time supporter of Rotary International. For 10 years he was a member of the Austin University Area Rotary Club in Austin, Texas where he lived before becoming the leader of our island resort. He served as Club President 2007-2008 and led a number of important community projects, including serving as Director of the Lantz Invitational Golf Tournament for 4 years.
In 2011, Barry joined Rotary Club of Belize, one of eight clubs in Belize and the oldest, founded in 1957. Barry serves on the International Grants Committee and the Student Scholarship Committee, and has been asked to serve as President in 2016. The Rotary Clubs in Belize are part of Rotary District 4250, comprising Belize, Honduras, and Guatemala.
GIFT SHOP
Throughout the Gift Shop you will find many hand made items from hardworking Belizeans. We believe it is important to support the local Villagers. And by purchasing these art pieces you too are contributing to school uniforms, fresh food and the livelihood of the artists and their families.
Drop in and check out the shell jewelry, Mayan baskets, wood carvings, hammocks and more!
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