NBA star Dwayne Wade engages in a game of basketball with a youngster as part of the partnership campaign with the Sandals Foundation

The Sandals Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Sandals Resorts International (SRI), and Wade’s World Foundation, NBA Champion Dwyane Wade’s charitable organization, has officially opened donations to raise funds for Game Changer initiative, an integrated sports program to benefit youth in underserved communities in the Caribbean and South Florida. 

Monies raised through the three-year iconic relationship between The Sandals Foundation and Wade’s World Foundation will give underprivileged youth in Antigua and Barbuda and other islands access to planned sports, recreation, healthy lifestyle and family engagement. Game Changer will also provide for the upgrading and refurbishing of 11 multi-purpose sports courts.

“We’re thrilled to create awareness for Game Changer with Dwyane Wade and Wade’s World Foundation and to officially get the program off the ground,” said Adam Stewart, President of the Sandals Foundation and CEO of SRI.

“It’s the first time our Foundation has worked so closely with a celebrity, and while Wade’s enormous popularity means we can reach a wider audience with our message, it’s really his commitment to giving all kids a shot at a better life that makes the Foundation proud and honored to work with him.“

The fundraising aspect of the campaign officially kicked off on January 1, 2015 and is the focus project for the entire Sandals Resorts International family including Sandals Grande Antigua Resort & Spa.

Dwyane Wade, on commenting why Wade’s World Foundation has partnered to create the Game Changer program with the Sandals Foundation, said “South Florida is not only important to my Foundation, but it serves as a neighboring community to the Caribbean.

The opportunity to partner with the Sandals Foundation was a natural progression to the work we do and affords us the chance to continue to expand our reach internationally providing today’s youth with safe and fun places to learn, explore and develop their potential.”