Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton did extensive damage in multiple states including Florida, which Carnival Cruise Line calls home.
Carnival President Christine Duffy can see some of the damage as she commutes to work and has heard about so much more, especially in the Tampa area, which the cruise line uses as a homeport.
To do her part and to inspire others, Duffy has made a bold choice.
When Carnival Paradise departs from Port Tampa Bay on Oct. 19 for its first-ever Special Forces Legacy Initiatives cruise, Duffy will jump from an airplane.
Duffy will tandem skydive with members of the Special Forces from a special plane. She will leap from the Tico Belle, a World War II veteran C-47 aircraft flown during the Normandy D-Day invasion on June 6, 1944.
Carnival Brand Ambassador John Heald shared a video message from Duffy just a few days before her jump.
"A special message for all of you from Christine to say thank you for raising money for first responders and hurricane relief. Please take a few moments to watch and it’s not too late to give. Thank you, every little helps," he said.
Carnival and Duffy have reached their goals
Transcript:
Good afternoon everyone. I am excited to report that we have reached almost our $75,000 goal to support the Gary Sinise Foundation and the support for our first responders and military families that have been impacted by the recent hurricanes.
(Editor's Note: the original stated goal was $50,000.)
And so that means, yes, I will be jumping next Saturday, skydiving over Tampa Bay with the Special Forces crews that we have chartered that will be departing that afternoon.
And I am delighted to announce that the Micky and Madeleine Arison Foundation is going to be matching the funds that we've raised thus far. So I know we'll be well over $150,000.
Thank you so much for your support for a great cause and stay tuned for the videos of the jump next Saturday. Thanks, everybody.
Funds raised through Duffy’s jump will benefit hurricane relief efforts through the Gary Sinise Foundation. Established in 2011 by the actor and humanitarian Gary Sinise, the foundation serves the nation by honoring our defenders, veterans, first responders, their families, and those in need through a number of national and local programs.
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Heald has repeatedly asked passengers to donate.
"I am going to ask everyone reading this to please help Veterans, First Responders, and for those in peril having faced Hurricane Helene and who may face the wrath of Hurricane Milton," he wrote.
If we, yes it’s up to us, can raise this money for Veterans and First Responders then Christine will jump for joy ... literally. Here is the link to the Gary Sinise Foundation donation page for all of us to donate."
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