AutoTrader cares for Aruba’s elderly

Saba 1 Saba 2 Saba 3A VIP corporate group vacationing on Aruba decided to incorporate a morning of community work into their on-island program. AutoTrader, a giant new and used car dealership hosted on Aruba by De Palm Tours, picked the SABA foundation as the recipient of their social responsibility undertaking.

SABA cares for the island’s elderly and its facility, San Pedro di Verona Paviljoen in the heart of Oranjestad, was in dire need of a refresh. AutoTrader arrived with 220 volunteers, and while some painted, the others gardened and interacted with the elderly.

De Palm Tours Destination Management Services manager shared that all materials, a total of over Awg 40.000, was paid in full by AutoTrader.  The company was extremely generous and insisted on carrying the cost and providing the labor in order to give back to the island community, in a meaningful way.

They also orchestrated a fun day for the SABA residents, catering food, renting tents, chairs and tables in order to give the elderly and their caretakers a good time.

Some of the local vendors, pitched in as well, making this event very successful. High Performance sponsored the DJ and sound system. De Palm Tours sponsored all transportation to and from SABA. The Ritz-Carlton where the visitors were staying sponsored local snacks and bottled water. De Palm staffers also volunteered that day helping to coordinate and manage the event.

As the final touch, AutoTrader asked the 105 couples on the trip to Aruba, to each purchase a gift for the SABA elderly residents, which they handed over that day, making the old folks very happy.

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March 15, 2016
Rona Coster