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Seattle, WA., April 29, 2008 - Holland America Line and the Port of Seattle have announced Ship to Shelter, an innovative new community-giving program that is the first of its kind in the nation. Holland America Line will collect valuable and reusable goods from their ships sailing from Seattle this summer, and donate them to Seattle area charities serving people in need.
The Port of Seattle, partnering with United States Customs and Border Protection, Cruise Terminals of America and Northwest Harvest, will work with the Seattle-based cruise line to donate items from the ships weekly and the goods will be distributed to shelters and homeless programs throughout Washington State.
In addition to the weekly donations of individual-sized toiletries, Holland America Line will periodically provide items such as towels, linens, dishes, cookware, silverware, televisions and mattresses.
"Giving back is part of the corporate culture at Holland America Line and it is part of our corporate social responsibility," said Stein Kruse, president and chief executive officer. "Over the years Holland America has worked with non-profits around the world to donate reusable goods in a socially conscious, environmentally friendly method. These items are periodically replaced on our ships and can be put to use for a good cause."
The program kicks off April 29 with ms Oosterdam, which will be docked at Pier 30, providing hundreds of items to Northwest Harvest, where they will be stored and then distributed to needy individuals and families. Each week, a Holland America Line ship will be in port to donate items On May 16, ms Amsterdam will provide toiletries as well as dishes, 150 cooking knives and 300 sheet pans. Mike Regis, Procurement and Outreach Director, Northwest Harvest, said, "The missions and shelters will be incredibly grateful to receive these items as they are very difficult to come by and not something we see in the donation stream very often."
Holland America Line will continue to donate other items from various Seattle-based ships sailing to Alaska from May through September, helping Northwest Harvest provide very basic but much needed necessities to shelters throughout the state.
Port of Seattle officials are pleased to participate in the pilot program. "The cruise industry provides great economic benefit to our region, "said Tay Yoshitani, chief executive officer, Port of Seattle. "We are very pleased to partner with them in a program that also provides environmental benefit " finding uses for goods that would otherwise be thrown away. And the Ship to Shelter program exemplifies the Port's commitment to social responsibility "finding way for us and our partners to give back to the community and ensure that everyone benefits from the business of the Port."
Northwest Harvest is the only statewide hunger relief agency in Washington State. The non-profit organization receives no city, county, state or federal funding for operating expenses and relies solely on contributions from individuals, businesses, foundations and other organizations. "There is an incredible need for basic toiletry items in the homeless community, especially in our women's shelters," said Shelley Rotondo, executive director of Northwest Harvest. "We often take the availability of these items on a daily basis for granted. The Ship to Shelter program will help fulfill this need for many."
The Ship to Shelter pilot program incorporates strategic partnerships between the Port of Seattle, Northwest Harvest and Holland America Line to provide valuable goods that are no longer needed on cruise ships for reuse by needy individuals as well as providing an environmentally positive solid waste solution.
SHIP TO SHELTER STRATEGIC PARTNERS
Holland America Line
Holland America Line's fleet of 13 ships (14 in July 2008) offers nearly 500 cruises to 314 ports of call in 97 countries, territories or dependencies on all seven continents. As part of its social responsibility initiative, the leading premium cruise line contributes over a million dollars each year in cash, in-kind shipboard events and useable goods to a broad range of charitable organizations nationally and internationally. Additionally, the line provides over 2,000 reduced-fare cruises annually to support charitable fundraising events throughout the United States and Canada. Their On Deck for the Cure program contributions will exceed the million dollar mark later this year to Susan G. Komen for the Cure. For more information contact www.hollandamerica.com
Port of Seattle
The Port of Seattle plays a key role in bringing international trade, transportation and travel to the region and supports industries as diverse as tourism and commercial fishing. The Port owns and operates Seattle-Tacoma International Airport - the 16th busiest in the nation - handling more than 31 million passengers annually. Two cruise ship terminals will handle more than 835,000 passengers during the 2008 season. State-of-the-art cargo-handling facilities constitute the nation's 7th busiest seaport, ranking among the top 50 ports globally. The Port of Seattle also operates four public marinas, manages a number of real estate assets, and is a key builder of road and rail infrastructure.
Northwest Harvest Northwest Harvest is Washington's own and only statewide hunger relief agency. The organization supplies food free, without dues or fees of any kind to a network of nearly 300 independent food banks and meal programs throughout the state. Relying on donations, 93% of their total budget goes to food distribution. For more information contact www.northwestharvest.org
United States Customs and Border Protection CBP is one of the Department of Homeland Security's largest and most complex organizations. CBP secures America's borders 24 hours a day, seven days a week while facilitating legitimate trade and travel. It does so by integrating modern technology, deploying highly trained law enforcement personnel, and developing industry partnerships that advance its overall mission. http://www.cbp.gov/
Cruise Terminals of America (CTA) CTA leases and operates Seattle two cruise terminals. CTA specializes in consulting, design, planning and operational management for cruise terminals through innovative private/public partnerships and expertise. CTA is a joint venture between three strong corporations, each with specialized terminal operations experience and expertise. The partnership consists of General Steamship Agencies, SSA Marine, and Columbia Hospitality, Inc. www.cruiseterminalsofamerica.com
About Holland America Line [a division of Carnival Corporation and plc (NYSE: CCL and CUK)]
Holland America Line's fleet of 13 ships offers nearly 500 cruises to 314 ports of call in 97 countries, territories or dependencies. Two- to 108-day itineraries visit all seven continents, including Antarctica, South America, Australia/New Zealand and Asia voyages; a Grand World Voyage; and popular sailings to ports in the Caribbean, Alaska, Mexico, Canada/New England, Europe and Panama Canal. A 14th ship, ms Eurodam, will launch in July 2008. For more information, contact a travel agent or call 1-877-SAIL-HAL (1-877-724-5425) or visit www.hollandamerica.com.
Fleetwide, the company features Signature of Excellence enhancements, totaling more than $425 million, that showcase the Culinary Arts Center presented by Food & Wine magazine - a state-of-the-art onboard show kitchen where more than 60 celebrated guest chefs and culinary experts provide cooking demonstrations and classes - Explorations Café powered by The New York Times, teens-only activity areas and all new stateroom amenities highlighted by flat-panel TVs and plush Euro-top Mariner's Dream Beds.
World's Leading Cruise Lines
The highest-rated premium cruise line in the world, Holland America Line is a member of the exclusive World's Leading Cruise Lines alliance, which also includes Carnival Cruise Lines, Princess Cruises, Cunard Line, Seabourn Cruise Line and Costa Cruises. Sharing a passion to please each guest and a commitment to quality and value, these lines appeal to a wide range of lifestyles and budgets. The World's Leading Cruise Lines offer exciting and enriching cruise vacations to the world's most desirable destinations.