Tourism’s Santa gives to schools
Published:Thursday | December 26, 2019 | 6:52 PMJanet Silvera/Senior Gleaner Writer
WESTERN BUREAU:
In the last month, Lee Weinstock has brought cheer to a number of schools and and children’s homes in western Jamaica, and he never once donned his Santa Claus hat.
But Weinstock, a tourism industry leader who has sought to promote the best of Jamaica to the world, has fitted perfectly in the role of ‘Father Christmas’.
The only difference: His projects are all year round.
His ‘Pack with a Purpose’ project, which encourages visitors to the island, friends and family to bring gifts to Jamaica for persons in need, has taken flight.
”Everyone, from individuals to large corporate groups, is encouraged to bring backpacks or suitcases filled with school supplies, clothing, or other much-needed items for our schools and children,” Weinstock, who is general manager of Turissimo Jamaica/Traffic Tours, told The Gleaner.
After collecting the donations, the philanthropist then delivers them personally. Recent recipients include Salt Spring Primary and Infant, Whitehouse Early Childhood Centre, Empress Circle Girls Centre (Kingston) and Robin’s Nest orphanage, just to name a few.
Weinstock works very closely with one of Turissimo’s top accounts, Delta Vacations, to continue making an impact, and his own wishes came true earlier this year when that organisation chose Jamaica as the destination to hold their most prestigious event for agencies.
“Close to 200 travel leaders, along with Delta Vacations executives, showed up in a huge way with donations for our children,” he revealed; a sense of immense gratitude evident in his voice.
For Weinstock, it’s as rewarding for those donating as for those receiving. He encourages everybody to make a difference, because it’s the right thing to do, he says.
Passion for giving back is what drives him, said Weinstock, who is known for his various roles at hotels like the Ritz-Carlton and Secrets Resorts, as well as his entrepreneurial ventures in customised vacation planning and event management.
Expressing appreciation, principal of Salt Spring Primary and Infant School, Norma Brydson, said that she was looking forward to a long, prosperous relationship with Weinstock and his team.
She lauded the group for giving unconditionally towards making life better for children at her school, which is based in a volatile neighbourhood of the Second City.