Holland America Line cruisers donate $450k to aid Ukrainians

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Holland America Line passengers On Deck for a Cause — in this case, Ukrainian humanitarian relief
A monthslong fundraising effort by Holland America Line passengers raised $450,000 for Ukrainian relief.

The cruise line presented a check from its 'On Deck for a Cause' campaign at the Port of San Diego to the global humanitarian aid organization Direct Relief, to help Ukrainians.

For 10 months on every cruise in Holland America's 11-ship fleet, passengers could make a $25 donation to participate in a fundraising 5K walk during their sailing, in locales ranging from Alaska to Europe and the Panama Canal to Australia.

'Our guests and team members, who love to explore the world, wanted to do something to make a meaningful difference for families in a part of the world that desperately needs humanitarian aid,' HAL President Gus Antorcha said.

Direct Relief

Direct Relief is a California-based charity that works in all US states and territories and more than 90 countries to expand access to medicine and healthcare by equipping doctors and nurses with lifesaving medical resources. It has already provided more than 1,000 tons of medical material aid requested by the Ukrainian Health Ministry .

The check presentation took place at the Port of San Diego, Koningsdam's winter home, with more than 62,000 passengers embarking several Holland America ships during the 2022/23 season.

Follows other efforts

The fundraising effort began in March and coincided with a pledge of $3m to charities helping Ukrainian refugees from the family foundation of parent company Carnival Corp.'s Chairman Micky Arison and his wife Madeleine. From April through September, the Dutch government and city of Rotterdam chartered Holland America's Volendam as part of their larger effort to accommodate 50,000 Ukrainians who fled the war in their homeland.