Divi Resorts Lends a Helping Hand to Hurricane Victims, Aid Workers in St. Maarten

While cleanup and restoration continues on St. Maarten following the recent, destructive hurricanes, Divi Resorts is dedicated to assisting displaced staff members and relief workers.

Divi Resorts President & COO, Marco Galaverna and a group of key staff visit St. Maarten to assess the damage and thank local employees.

“St. Maarten was hit hard by Hurricane Irma, followed quickly by Tropical Storm Jose and Hurricane Maria, causing widespread damage on the island,” said Divi Resorts President & COO, Marco Galaverna. “But what was most devastating was the fact that many of our employees lost their homes and livelihoods due to these storms.”

Since Hurricane Irma struck, Little Bay has been providing shelter for many staff members and their families while they begin to fix their homes or find new housing solutions.

In response to frequent guest and owner outreach regarding how to help, Divi Resorts created a GoFundMe campaign with the goal of raising funds for staff’s personal needs and recovery efforts.

“Our employees are family to us and to many of our guests and owners,” Galaverna said. “We’ve had an outpouring of concern and support for our staff, and we are committed to helping them recover from this tragic natural disaster.”

Divi Resorts’ GoFundMe campaign continues to accept donations at: gofundme.com/send-love-to-divi-little-bay-staff. All money raised will go directly to employees, as determined by management at the Resort in consultation with staff and their labor union.

The Resort has also been accommodating a troop of Dutch Marines, on the island to assist citizens of St. Maarten, since the end of Hurricane Irma.

Divi’s diva, Gizmo spends quality time with her new friend, a Dutch Marine on site to assist St. Maarten citizens.

“We’re happy to provide accommodations for these heroic men and women as they spend their days cleaning up and rebuilding infrastructure on the island,” said Galaverna. “A few of the Marines have even made friends with our little Divi diva, Gizmo.”

Divi Resorts in Aruba Participate in Soup Drive to Assist with Hurricane Irma Relief

While cleanup continues on several Caribbean islands affected by Hurricane Irma, including St. Maarten, hotels in Aruba are banding together to raise money to assist the Red Cross Aruba in their efforts to help victims of the storm.

Divi Resorts purchased 100 soups for employees as part of Holiday Inn Resort Aruba’s Soup Drive, which took place Friday, September 15. All proceeds from the drive go directly to the Red Cross Aruba.

“We were more than happy to support this effort to help our fellow Divi family in St. Maarten and other hurricane victims,” said Gerrit Griffith, Divi Aruba Phoenix Beach Resort General Manager. “Plus, the soup was delicious, and really brightened up our Friday lunch.”

Divi Resorts Assists Hurricane Irma Relief FEMA Workers in St. Croix

As the Hurricane Irma clean up process begins in The US Virgin Islands, representatives at Divi Carina Bay All-Inclusive Beach Resort & Casino in St. Croix are lending a helping hand by providing housing and meals to relief workers.

Divi Carina Bay and the island of St. Croix escaped Hurricane Irma’s damage mostly unscathed, allowing the resort to reopen for business mere days after the storm. Due to its close proximity to St. Thomas and St. John, St. Croix has quickly become the command center for the recovery process on those islands.

“After Hurricane Irma hit nearby islands, we knew we needed to do our part to help in any way possible,” said Divi Resorts President & COO, Marco Galaverna. “Whether it’s a place to stay or a full belly to start the day, we’re happy to open our doors to these brave men and women, while we continue to host guests.”

Lieutenant Colonel Matt Bartlett, mission commander of the 27th Special Operations Wing force from Cannon Air Force Base in New Mexico, says the outstanding support he’s received from the Resort has been invaluable to his team and their recovery efforts.

“Divi’s help has ensured that our force has adequate rest and nourishment as we aggressively work to help our fellow Americans and neighbors impacted by Irma’s devastation,” said Bartlett.

The 72 Airmen on site are assisting those in need by providing capabilities such as search and rescue and personnel recovery, airlift of humanitarian supplies, medical care and aeromedical evacuation – capabilities Bartlett says wouldn’t be possible without Divi’s help and hospitality.

“We would be unable to provide this support if it was not for Divi Resorts and its staff allowing us to get the rest we need to continue to do this work every day that we are here in St. Croix,” Bartlett explained.

Galaverna added that Divi Resorts provides a 20% military discount to all members of the military throughout the year.

“Divi proudly offers one of the largest military discounts in the industry, 365 days a year,” Galaverna said. “Active or retired, and we extend our offer to firefighters and police officers, too.”

Divi Carina Bay Resort remains open for business to guests and will be on hand to help as needed while cleanup continues on St. Croix’s sister islands.