2009 Press Releases
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Baltimore, MD – October 4, 2009
Cruise Industry Charitable Foundation Supports Baltimore Community Charities
The Cruise Industry Charitable Foundation (CICF) is proud to announce grant donations to several Baltimore charities that support the city's students. At a luncheon aboard the Carnival Pride, which is home ported in the Port of Baltimore, representatives from CICF and the Cruise Lines International Association presented grant donations to the Youth to Israel program, Maritime Industries Academy, and Operation Warm partnered with the Baltimore chapter of Building Educated Leaders for Life (BELL).
CICF presented a $20,000 grant to Keita Wells, Director of the Youth to Israel Program for leadership training and an immersion program in Israel for Baltimore high school students.
Joy Savage, Principal of the Maritime Industries Academy, accepted a $15,000 grant for the Academy's maritime careers curriculum.
Kim Fortunato, President of Operation Warm, and Nadia Bryan, Mid-Atlantic Regional Director of BELL, accepted a $10,000 grant for new winter coats for Baltimore city school students.
Special guests in attendance included: U.S. Congressman Elijah Cummings; Councilwoman Rikki Spector; State's Attorney Patricia Coats Jessamy; John Meister of Cruise Maryland; and other important Baltimore community leaders. Terry Dale, President & CEO of the Cruise Lines International Association, and Cynthia Colenda, Executive Director of the Cruise Industry Charitable Foundation, presented the donation checks on behalf of CICF.
"Baltimore is an important home port for the cruise industry, and today we took the opportunity to show our appreciation to this vibrant community where we do business," said James R. Border, Chairman of the Cruise Industry Charitable Foundation. "CICF is especially proud that the grants announced today will have a positive impact on the students attending Baltimore area schools."
In 2008, Maryland accounted for more than $153 million in cruise industry direct spending. The industry's spending generated 2,140 jobs and wages totaling $107 million in income for Maryland workers.
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