Affinity Partners Program Keeps on Growing
The desire to protect the natural beauty of Virgin Islands National Park is a sentiment many of us share. The Affinity Program was created to provide another vehicle for local businesses to partner with the Friends to support the important work we do for the Park.
The Affinity Partners Program is a membership benefits program. Local merchants offer substantial perks or programs to attract potential members and give existing members valuable perks for their continued support.
Participating Partners (as of September 2008)
Awesome Powerboat Rentals—in Red Hook, St Thomas, offers Friends members a discount on the cost of a powerboat rental. In-season: 5%, Off-season: 10%. Please visit website for reservation information and prices: www.powerboatrentalsvi.com
Anne Marie Weddings/dba St. John Weddings—Offers Friends’ members a 10% discount off marriage ceremonies and vow renewal services.
Bolongo Bay Beach Club—St Thomas, offers Friends members a 20% discount on Hotel rooms. Bolongo Bay Beach Club also offers Friends’ members a 50% discount on their Heavenly Days catamaran ALL Day sail to St. John.
Bougainvillea Shops—Friends’ members will receive a 20% discount on fine apparel for men, women and children at the Bougainvillea Shop located in Mongoose Junction.
Ceremonies St John—Ceremonies St. John is pleased to offer Friends’ members a complimentary wedding cake that will feed up to ten guests when utilizing their services to assist you in coordinating your wedding day.
Collette Diede—Individuals who dive with Colette will be encouraged to make a donation to Friends of the Park, which she will match up to $10 per person per dive.
Coral World—Friends’ members will receive a 30% discount on admission to Coral World.
Freebird Creations—Barbara and Randy at Freebird Creations in Wharfside Village are offering Friends’ members a 10% discount on any purchase in their store when you show your current Friends membership card. Also check out their beautiful collection of petroglyph items. A portion of the sale of these items is donated to the Friends.
Great Expectations—Offers Friends’ members a 10% discount on lodging when booked directly with the owners. Members can either call 1-800-553-0109, or email for reservations, please identify yourself as a Friends’ member. This offer is not valid over Christmas or New Years.
Hillcrest Guest House—Offers Friends’ members a 10% discount on lodging both in- and off-season.
Island Fancy at Mongoose Junction—Friends members will receive a 20% discount at Island Fancy gift shop located in Mongoose Junction.
Kallaloo & Terra Hawk—Members receive a $100 discount on a seven night or more stay at these luxurious vacation homes during high and low seasons.
Low Key Water Sports—Requests that divers donate $1.00 per tank to the Friends
Long Distance (Day sailing)—Capt. Rick and First Mate Robin offer Friends’ members a 10% discount off day sails. Bookings must be made directly with Rick and Robin to receive discount
Maho Bay Camps — When making reservations at Maho, Friends members in good standing must state that they are a member and they will receive 20% off lodging. Maho will confirm status of membership with Friends. Dates of promotion, May 1 – December 15 annually. Black out period – the week of Thanksgiving.
R&I Patton Goldsmithing—Donates to the Friends archeology program 100% of the sales of gold and silver zemis sold in their store. They also provide bronze and silver zemis to the Friends to sell in our boutique at no cost to us.
Sail Safaris—Han is offering Friends' members a 10% discount off any Hobie Cat tour when booked directly through him. Please see his website at www.sailsafaris.net or contact Han at info@sailsafaris.net for more information.
Wayward Sailor (Day Sailing)—Capt. Phil will provide Friends’ members a 10% discount on a day sail when booked directly through him.
How the Program Works
There are two types of Affinity Partners:
1. A merchant/service provider offers a discount on a product or service exclusively to Friends members.
2. A merchant/service provider that requests a donation on behalf of the Friends, or donates a portion of the proceeds of the sale of a particular item(s).
Official Friends membership cards are provided to individuals as they join the Friends as new members or renew their current membership. This card includes their member ID number and expiration date, which makes it easy for you to determine current membership status. You may also call our office for verification.
Get Involved
Affinity Partners understand the value of protecting and preserving the natural and cultural resources of the Park, and this is an excellent opportunity for your business to give back to the Park, not only from an environmental standpoint, but also because tourism is at the heart of St. John’s economy. The Park draws more than a million tourists each year. Our beaches are known worldwide for their soft white sand, turquoise blue water, and vibrant coral reefs. It makes good business sense to help protect this national treasure.
As an Affinity Partner, your company’s name will be listed annually in our special edition newsletter; over 5,000 copies are printed and distributed to all island residents and the Friends mailing list.
Your company name will also be listed on our website as an Affinity Partner, as well as on the back of our membership cards.
Your offer may be as unique as the product or service. If you would like to become an Affinity Partner, but are not sure what type of offer is right for you, please call the Friends or email affinity. Stephen can help you create an offering that is tailored to fit your needs.
Please consider joining, your support is vitally needed.