[slideshow]
Continuing its support of its primary charitable partner, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Carnival Cruise Lines’ shoreside employees recently raised $2,300 for the hospital through a “Beary Cuddly Workshop” activity held at the cruise line’s corporate offices.
Employees had an opportunity to purchase their own keepsake bear and build it on site at the company’s Miami headquarters. The bears could also be customized with doctor’s apparel, including scrubs, surgical mask, and a lab coat to demonstrate support for St. Jude. Carnival employees purchased more than 100 bears and doctor’s outfits, with all proceeds benefiting St. Jude’s groundbreaking efforts in the fight against pediatric cancer and other catastrophic diseases
The bear sale at the Miami headquarters mirrors a program taking place throughout Carnival’s 23-ship fleet as part of the company’s Care to Play: Carnival for St. Jude Kids shipboard fundraising initiative.
With a goal of raising $3 million over a three-year period, the Care to Play program also includes “The Groove for St. Jude,” a fun dance activity held once each voyage, and the on-board sale of “The Dream Plucker of Perrysport,” a highly imaginative children’s book based on creative stories and illustrations submitted by participants in the cruise line’s Camp Carnival children’s program.