Holland America Line guests donated $450,000 to help Ukrainians!

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Holland America Line guests donated $450,000 to help Ukrainians!05.02.2023 16:54

A cruise line passenger fundraiser that took place on six different continents ended today with a major donation to help Ukrainians, when Holland America Line presented a check for $450,000 at the Port of San Diego to the global humanitarian organization Direct Relief, money raised during the campaign "On Deck for a Cause".

For 10 months on each cruise of the 11-ship fleet, guests could make a $25 donation to participate in a 5-kilometer fundraising walk while sailing in regions from Alaska to Europe, according to a press release and from the Panama Canal to Australia.

"Our guests and team members who love to explore the world wanted to do something meaningful for families in a part of the world that desperately needs humanitarian assistance," said Gus Antorcha, president of Holland America Line. "We knew our guests would be generous, but their support far exceeded our expectations, with donations totaling $450,000."

Direct Relief is a California-based charity that works in every US state and territory and in more than 90 countries around the world to expand access to medicine and health care by providing doctors and nurses with vital medical resources. It has already provided more than 1,000 tons of medical aid on the order of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine.

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"We are grateful to Holland America Line and its guests for this extraordinary fundraising effort in which people took the time and opportunity to help," said Thomas Tighe, president and chief executive officer of Direct Relief. "Their support will continue to help us provide Ukraine with vital medicines, from cancer treatment to chronic disease treatment."

The check was handed over at the port of San Diego. San Diego is the home port of Koningsdam, with more than 62,000 guests boarding several Holland America Line ships during the 2022/23 season.

"We are proud that so many guests who choose the Port of San Diego have participated in the fundraiser," said Port of San Diego Chairman Rafael Castellanos. "Californians alone account for about 15% of Holland America Line's visitors, and the money raised provides timely relief to the crisis in Ukraine."

The fundraiser began in March and coincided with a $3 million donation to charities helping Ukrainian refugees from the family foundation of Carnival's parent company, Mickey Arison and his wife, Madeleine. From April to September 2022, the Dutch government and the city of Rotterdam chartered the Holland America Line ship Volendam as part of their massive resettlement efforts for 50,000 Ukrainians fleeing war in their homeland.