Carnival Cruise Line President Christine Duffy announced that she will participate in a tandem skydive to raise $50,000 for military members and first responders who have been facilitating hurricane relief efforts on the ground.
Duffy will take the daring leap for charity on October 19, the embarkation date of Carnival’s first Special Forces Legacy Initiatives (SFLI) cruise.
The special itinerary aboard Carnival Paradise will host the reunion of different generations of the elite Green Beret army, including its members who served in the Korean War during the 1950s.
Read More: Carnival’s Heroes Tribute Bar
The cruise line president will skydive with the help of the Round Canopy Parachute Team, a nonprofit that honors the Allied Airborne Forces, the US Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) Para-Commandos, and the US Special Operations Command’s aerial parachute demonstration team.
As the WWII-era C-47 aircraft “Tico Belle” soars over Port Tampa Bay, Duffy will jump from the plane alongside a seasoned master skydiver.
Proceeds will be donated to the Gary Sinise Foundation, a group committed to helping wounded veterans, first responders, their families, and others in need.
Duffy reminded the public that the stunt is for a good cause. “I’ve never jumped from an airplane before so I think this effort is worth at least $50,000 for the Gary Sinise Foundation and their efforts to support military and first responders assisting with hurricane relief,” she declared.
The Carnival executive enthusiastically added, “Saying that Carnival is America’s cruise line and the favorite cruise line for active-duty military and military veterans is one thing, showing it is another story, and I’m always ready to jump at the chance to prove it!”
Hurricane Helene’s Aftermath
With more than 230 confirmed fatalities, Hurricane Helene has been recognized as the nation’s deadliest hurricane since Katrina in 2005. The worst of the storm struck North Carolina last Thursday, accounting for nearly half of the total death toll.
First responders comprised approximately 1,500 troops, 6,100 National Guardsmen, and 7,000 Federal employees. Together with public and private agencies, they have been clearing emergency routes, distributing aid, helping locate missing people, and re-establishing critical public services.
As of October 8, the campaign has raised nearly half the $50,000 goal. Those who wish to contribute can visit the donation page on the Gary Sinise Foundation website.
Honoring US veterans is a recurring theme onboard Carnival vessels. Each sailing has a designated Military Appreciation Day, selected vessels have a Heroes Tribute Bar & Lounge, and veterans are offered discounted fares. They also get exclusive access to contests, raffles, tokens, and prizes.
