It wasn't the Easter bunny, but Sesame Street character, Elmo, worked just as well, as over one thousand students in the St. Ann and St. Mary area celebrated Easter in style courtesy of Sandals/Beaches resorts.

Students from Golden Grove Pre-School, Stewart Town Basic, Parry Town Primary and Great Pond Basic schools, all adopted by the hotels, were fted by the management and staff of Beaches Boscobel, Sandals Dunn's River and Sandals Grande Ocho Rios this week.

For most of the kids at Stewart Town Basic, it was their first time seeing the loveable Sesame Street character live and they hugged, danced, took photos and had a jolly good time with him. This was in addition to getting Easter bun and cheese and other goodies.

Audrey Crooks, executive assistant manager at Beaches Boscobel, stressed the resort's commitment to community service and the welfare of students in the parish of St. Mary.

For Michael Darby, general manager of Sandals Grande Ocho Rios, it was a pleasure for his hotel to treat approximately 700 students from Parry Town Primary and Great Pond Basic schools.

Commitment to education

"This is just a small part of our commitment to our adopted schools," Darby noted. "We also attach great importance to the upkeep of the schools and the well-being of students and teachers." He also pledged that the hotel would continue being good a corporate citizen.

The enthusiastic students at Golden Grove Pre-school enjoyed the Easter goodies and shared fellowship with the managers from Sandals Dunn's River who turned out for the event.

Regional Public Relations Managers for Sandals/Beaches, Ian Spencer, and Lyndsay Isaacs, who spearheaded the Easter treats, noted that the adoption of the schools by the three resorts showed the company's commitment to education and youths in Jamaica.

But while treats are great, Spencer said, "Sandals/Beaches sponsorship goes way beyond that and we play an integral role in the lives of the students." He noted that this year would see a further strengthening of the company's role in community involvement.