The Department of Human Services provided a list of needed items for 112 children to The Ritz-Carlton, and employees from every department of the resort donated new backpacks and school supplies to help give a child the confidence and tools necessary to succeed this school year. To add to the children’s excitement, employees included a personal note of encouragement in each child’s backpack.

“Our ladies and gentlemen are passionate about having the opportunity to make a positive impact in the future of our community’s children,” said Marc Langevin, general manager of The Ritz-Carlton, St. Thomas. “Our donation places new backpacks into the hands of children who might not otherwise have the proper tools for success, and it is very rewarding to help them start the school year off on the right foot,” he said.

Participation in “Backpacks for Success” is just one of many corporate responsibility initiatives that are part of The Ritz-Carlton, St. Thomas Community Footprints program. The resort’s employees also participate in The American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life, the Boy Scouts Blue Marlin Fishing Tournament, Reef Fest and community clean-up programs across St. Thomas. In addition, Community Footprints has expanded to offer volunteering opportunities to resort guests through the Discover Coastal Waters program that involves tourists in a hands-on snorkel excursion to collect important fish population and species data, with proceeds going to the Community Foundation of the Virgin Islands.

For more information on The Ritz-Carlton, St. Thomas’ community efforts, please contact Meghan Cate, public relations, at 775-3333, ext. 8606.