Cruise line gives holiday, cash to Salvation Army

Today was an unusual one in the field of Belizean philanthropy…for two reasons. The first is that the hardworking staff at the Salvation Army finally got a chance to have some fun. The second is that one of the major players of the tourism industry–that is the cruise lines–have dared to get involved in the social life of the ports they visit.

Patrick Jones, Reporting
After weeks of fund raising…Christmas parties for thousands of children…and special outreach for the elderly over the holidays, officers of the Salvation Army and their children, took a holiday of sorts…aboard the Explorer of the Seas cruise ship.

Wayne Williams, Crew Activities Manager, RCCL
?We welcome you to our beautiful ship. We?d like to take you for a wonderful tour this afternoon. It?s all about what we can do for you. And we?re here to help out in any way possible. Of course we?d like to show our appreciation for the hard work that you guys do. And as part of our donation process we just want to see what the crew has to offer and show you our ship.?

Regional Commander Major Errol Robateau and his wife led the team of officers: Major Alice Buckley from Northside Corps, Captains Mark and Vicky Gilden from Georgeville Corps and Captains Anthony and Lizette Sanchez from Belize Central, through a guided tour of the massive ship anchored in the Belize City harbour.

But today?s visit to the Explorer of the Seas was not just a jolly for this group of Salvationists.

Carlos Padderchine, Captain, Explorer of the Sea
?It?s a pleasure on behalf of my team to be able to help the helpers. Peace for all your country and your people.?

Captain of the Ship Carlos Padderchine handed over a donation of cash, clothes and household items to the Salvation Army which will greatly assist the church in its social work. Activities Director Wayne Williams says the donation is part of his company?s way of giving back to the community.

Wayne Williams
?The G.I.V.E. for the holidays programme was originally designed by Harri Kulovaara, senior vice president of marine operations with Royal Caribbean International. He set forth the programme for all the ships in the fleet to develop a charitable organization which they can donate money to. We chose the Salvation Army in Belize of course because of their international recognition and we realize the amount of programmes that they do offer the people in Belize City and the inside the country on a whole.?

Major Errol Robateau
?I?d like to accept this cheque on behalf of the Salvation Army in Belize and also to thank you the Captain, Wayne and Lisa and all the crew who have worked so hard to raise this funds for us. We promise to use it wisely and for the benefit of our work that we do. Thank you.?

The cash donation which came from on board tournaments and raffles amounted to eight thousand, five hundred and ninety-five U.S. dollars. It will be used to restart one of the Army?s programmes for elderly men.

Major Errol Robateau
?The money that we have as I explained to Mr. Williams, we will be focussing on the Ghan?s Rest House to repair it and that?s mostly where the money will be spent.?

Williams says the Captain and crew were more than happy to contribute to the work of the Salvation Army in Belize, which is one of many ports of call for Royal Caribbean.

Wayne Williams
?We wish everyone a very prosperous 2005. We hope that our donations will be best used by the people of Belize. And we are confident that the Salvation Army will make those donations available to the people. So that those people that are in need will have a better year.?

The donation from Royal Caribbean will jump start the work of the Salvation Army for the year. Robateau says there are a number of other programmes in the pipeline for 2005.

Major Robateau
?Right now we are thinking of launching an appeal to help the Tsunami victims so that Belize can also participate in our contribution no mater how small it is, that they know that we care and that we also want to do something. For Belize itself, yes our plan is to get back the Ghan?s Rest House on track. And to continue with our work, our work is ever ongoing, you know we have the home for the homeless on Orange Street. We are getting a new building from the Government, their development aid section and with that for the school we hope to improve our facilities at our school and soon we will have the new building to put our school feeding programme. So we have quite bright hopes for this year and with the continued help of the Belizean public we believe we will be able to continue our programmes.?

While a lot of hard work lies ahead for Robateau and his officers, today the emphasis was on having fun. And while it took more than a few shots for the aspiring hoopsters to sink a basket, support such as the Royal Caribbean donation, helps to cushion the soldiers? resolve to keep the standard of the Salvation Army flying high.

Persons who want to contribute to the Salvation Army’s Tsunami Relief Fund can do so at Account number 5009313 at the Belize Bank. The appeal, which was launched today, will continue until the end of the month.