With cruise lovers generously contributing to aid efforts following the devastation of Hurricanes Helene and Milton, Carnival Cruise Line President Christine Duffy has raised the bar for her tandem skydive fundraising occasion over Tampa Bay, deliberate for Saturday, October 19, 2024.
The preliminary aim, set within the days following Hurricane Helene’s damaging journey off Florida’s west coast and into North Carolina and surrounding areas, was $50,000. In only a week, nonetheless, that aim has not solely been met however stupendously surpassed, and a brand new aim has been set.
Now the aim has been raised to $75,000, and what’s extra, will probably be generously matched by the Carnival Company Chairman Micky Arison and his spouse, Madeleine, by means of their charitable basis.
“Our hearts exit to all those that have been impacted by the devastation of Hurricanes Milton and Helene,” mentioned Duffy. “I’m so grateful to all who’ve donated and proceed to step up for hurricane aid efforts as I prepare to leap from 10,000 toes above Tampa Bay with members of the Particular Forces.”
The occasion is deliberate as a enjoyable and distinctive celebration commemorating the first-ever Particular Forces Legacy Initiatives (SFLI) cruise, which can set sail aboard Carnival Paradise on October 19 for a 5-night Bahamas itinerary visiting Bimini and Nassau.
It’s completely acceptable for the occasion to not solely be deliberate as a part of the SFLI cruise, but additionally aboard Carnival Paradise. Whereas a number of Carnival ships had been impacted by each storms, Carnival Paradise was one of the vital affected with a cancelled crusing following Hurricane Helene in addition to a homeport change within the wake of Hurricane Milton.
The cash raised will go to the Gary Sinise Basis to assist army households, veterans, and first responders with storm restoration efforts in a number of communities devastated by the back-to-back hurricanes.
In only a week, Duffy’s fundraising efforts have already crossed greater than $73,000 and are lower than $2,000 from the brand new, larger aim.
“We’ve reached – nearly – our $75,000 aim to assist the Gary Sinise Basis and the assist for our first responders and army households which were impacted by the current hurricanes,” Duffy mentioned in a video replace. “I will probably be leaping subsequent Saturday, skydiving over Tampa Bay with the Particular Forces.”
Carnival Cruise Line’s Model Ambassador, John Heald, has additionally labored to unfold phrase of the fundraiser by means of his widespread Fb web page.
“I [ask] you to please donate, even whether it is only a few {dollars} as a result of each little helps,” Heald mentioned. “I hope as we speak we are able to push towards $100,000.”
Distinctive Carnival Cruise Line Fundraisers
Duffy’s leap will happen from the Tico Belle, a World Battle II C-47 Skytrain plane that participated through the D-Day invasion of Normandy, France on June 6, 1944.
The storied historical past of the Tico Belle additionally consists of operations elsewhere in France, Holland, and Germany throughout World Battle II, in addition to offering aid following the Battle of the Bulge.
This makes Duffy’s leap all of the extra symbolic and important with Carnival Cruise Line’s connection to supporting army households by means of numerous fundraising efforts, partnerships, and donations all yr lengthy.
Carnival Cruise Line has typically labored with distinctive fundraising initiatives, together with the cowboy boots public sale related to Carnival Jubilee in February 2024 in addition to the commemorative public sale with the retirement of Carnival Ecstasy in October 2022.
Lots of the cruise line’s charitable efforts are centered on its partnership with St. Jude Kids’s Analysis Hospital in addition to with Operation Homefront, each worthy causes fortunately and generously supported by Carnival cruise line followers and friends.
