A fundraising effort by cruise line passengers that befell round six completely different continents culminated as we speak with a big donation for Ukrainian reduction as Holland America Line introduced a verify for $450,000 on the Port of San Diego to the worldwide humanitarian assist group Direct Relief, cash raised through the premium cruise line’s On Deck for a Cause marketing campaign.
According to a press launch, for 10 months on each cruise within the line’s 11-ship fleet, friends may make a $25 donation to take part in a fundraising 5K stroll throughout their crusing, in locales starting from Alaska to Europe and the Panama Canal to Australia.
“Our guests and team members, who love to explore the world, wanted to do something to make a meaningful difference for families in a part of the world that desperately needs humanitarian aid,” mentioned Gus Antorcha, president of Holland America Line. “We knew our guests were generous, but their support has well exceeded our expectations, with donations totaling $450,000.”
Direct Relief is a California-based charity that works in all U.S. states and territories and greater than 90 nations around the globe to increase entry to medication and healthcare by equipping docs and nurses with lifesaving medical assets. It has already offered greater than 1,000 tons of medical materials assist requested by the Ukrainian Health Ministry.
“We’re grateful to Holland America Line and its guests for this tremendous fundraising effort in which people took time during their vacations to make a difference,” mentioned Thomas Tighe, president and chief govt officer, Direct Relief. “Their support will further help us in providing lifesaving medications to Ukraine, ranging from cancer therapies to treatments for chronic health conditions.”
The verify presentation befell on the Port of San Diego. San Diego is Koningsdam’s homeport within the winter, with greater than 62,000 friends embarking a number of Holland America Line ships on the port through the 2022/23 season.
“We’re proud that so many guests who choose the Port of San Diego were part of this fundraising effort,” mentioned Chairman Rafael Castellanos, Port of San Diego. “Californians alone account for close to 15% of Holland America Line’s guest population, and the money raised is providing timely relief for the crisis in Ukraine.”
The fundraising effort started in March and coincided with a pledge of $3 million to charities serving to Ukrainian refugees from the household basis of mother or father firm Carnival Corporation’s chairman Micky Arison and his spouse Madeleine. From April via September 2022, the Dutch authorities and City of Rotterdam chartered the Holland America Line ship Volendam as a part of their bigger effort to accommodate 50,000 Ukrainians who fled the struggle of their homeland.