MIAMI, Sept. 7, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Carnival
Cruise Line, its parent company, Carnival Corporation &
plc (NYSE/LSE: CCL; NYSE: CUK), and the Micky and Madeleine Arison
Family Foundation have identified five non-profit organizations to
receive a minimum of $2 million total
in support of relief and rebuilding efforts following the
devastating impact of Hurricane Harvey. Direct Relief, Houston Food
Bank, Save the Children, Operation Homefront and United Way of
Greater Houston were chosen for
their active roles in providing critical supplies of food, water,
medicine, shelter and other basic necessities to residents in the
most impacted areas. Each organization features an extensive local
network providing critical support to people in the region.
"We continue to be inspired by the efforts of so many first
responders, government officials, volunteers, neighbors and others
in making such valiant efforts to help people who have been
impacted by Hurricane Harvey," said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise
Line, which has three of its ships sailing year-round from the Port
of Galveston in south Texas. "We hope our collective donation to the
five organizations makes an immediate impact for those who need
help the most, while our hearts and prayers continue to go out to
everyone involved."
In addition to the pledges of $500,000 from Carnival Cruise Line, $500,000 from Carnival Corporation's charitable
arm, The Carnival Foundation, and a matching $1 million from the Micky and Madeleine Arison
Family Foundation, Carnival Cruise Line will present guests with
the opportunity to donate to relief efforts while checking in for
their upcoming cruises. Carnival Corporation and its global brands
are also encouraging employees to support the recovery while
matching some individual donations.
Direct Relief, an international humanitarian organization
providing critical medications and supplies, is working with
community health centers and clinics throughout the affected areas,
addressing urgent needs including diabetes and high blood pressure.
It was ranked number one by CNBC among the Top 10 Charities
Changing the World in 2016, and has made over $100 million in medical inventory available to
those in the path of the storm.
Houston Food Bank is greater Houston's largest food donation organization
and a member of Feeding America, the nation's largest
non-governmental domestic hunger relief organization. Houston Food
Bank estimates over 80,000 people in the area will be displaced
until after Thanksgiving and need
assistance. The charity is focused on providing people in need with
critical food, water and supplies. Houston Food Bank is also
reaching out to help people living in surrounding areas including
nearby Galveston county.
Save the Children, an international non-governmental
organization and recognized national leader for services to
children in emergencies, is providing support in the affected area.
Its efforts include distribution of infant and toddler supplies
such as cribs and hygiene products and providing child-friendly
spaces offering safety and support throughout the
recovery.
Operation Homefront provides support to the over 300,000
military families living in the affected area. The charity is
focused on providing direct critical support with services ranging
from food assistance, home repair, temporary housing expenses, car
rental or repair, replacement clothing and baby care items.
Operation Homefront has been a longstanding and ongoing charity
partner of Carnival Corporation, Carnival Cruise Line and the
Carnival Foundation.
United Way of Greater Houston
is focused on the region's long-term recovery. It assesses the
needs of the impacted communities and address those needs with
social service providers. Its initiatives include mental and
behavioral health services, supporting food banks and assistance
ministries, supporting applications to FEMA aid programs and
assistance with home repairs and rebuilding. Its service
emphasis is to low-income individuals and families, seniors and
people with disabilities.
Individuals wishing to donate to relief efforts can do so
directly via www.directrelief.org, www.houstonfoodbank.org,
www.savethechildren.org, www.operationhomefront.org and
www.unitedwayhouston.org.
About Carnival Cruise Line
Carnival Cruise Line, part
of Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE/LSE: CCL; NYSE: CUK), is
"The World's Most Popular Cruise Line®" with 25 ships operating
three- to 16-day voyages to The Bahamas, Caribbean, Mexican Riviera, Alaska, Hawaii, Canada, New England, Bermuda, Europe, Cuba,
Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands. Two
133,500-ton Vista class ships are currently scheduled for delivery
- Carnival Horizon in 2018 and an as-yet-unnamed vessel in 2019.
Additionally, two new 180,000-ton ships are scheduled to enter
service in 2020 and 2022.
Carnival Corporation & plc
Carnival
Corporation & plc is the world's largest leisure travel company
and among the most profitable and financially strong in the cruise
and vacation industries, with a portfolio of 10 dynamic brands that
include nine of the world's leading cruise lines. With operations
in North America, Europe, Australia and Asia, its portfolio features Carnival Cruise
Line, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, Seabourn, AIDA
Cruises, Costa Cruises, Cunard, P&O Cruises (Australia) and P&O Cruises (UK), as well
as Fathom, the corporation's immersion and enrichment experience
brand.
Together, these brands operate 103 ships with 231,000 lower
berths visiting over 700 ports around the world, with 17 new ships
scheduled to be delivered between 2018 and 2022. Carnival
Corporation & plc also operates Holland America Princess
Alaska Tours, the leading tour company in Alaska and the
Canadian Yukon. Traded on both the New York and London
Stock Exchanges, Carnival Corporation & plc is the
only dual listed company in the world to be included in both the
S&P 500 and the FTSE 100 indices.
In 2017, Fast Company recognized Carnival Corporation as being
among the "Top 10 Most Innovative Companies" in both the design and
travel categories. Fast Company specifically recognized Carnival
Corporation for its work in developing Ocean Medallion™, a
high-tech wearable device that enables the world's first
interactive guest experience platform capable of transforming
vacation travel into a highly personalized and elevated level of
customized service.
Additional information can be found on www.carnival.com,
www.fathom.org, www.hollandamerica.com, www.princess.com,
www.seabourn.com, www.aida.de, www.costacruise.com, www.cunard.com,
www.pocruises.com.au, and www.pocruises.com.
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SOURCE Carnival Corporation & plc