Disney Cruise Line Contributes $250,000 to Boys and Girls Clubs of Central Florida

Disney Cruise Line presented a $250,000 donation to Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Florida in honor of the newest and fourth ship in its fleet, the Disney Fantasy. The donation is earmarked for a new Boys & Girls Club location in Cocoa near Port Canaveral, the homeport for the Disney Fantasy. Last year, Disney hosted a benefit cruise on the sister ship of the Disney Fantasy, the Disney Dream, raising $750,000 for Boys & Girls Clubs. Karl Holz, president of Disney Cruise Line and Captain Tom Forberg were joined by Gary Cain, president of Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Florida, and several Club families who will have the opportunity to sail on the Disney Fantasy later this month.

“Disney Cruise Line has been a long-time supporter of Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Florida,” said Holz. “As our fleet has expanded and our business has grown, it has been our pleasure to help the Clubs grow as well, so they can continue to inspire and empower young people. We are excited that this donation will assist in the development of a new facility close to our homeport, which will allow our crew members to continue supporting the Clubs through Disney VoluntEAR efforts.”

The contribution will help fund programs at Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Florida that teach children character and leadership, develop life and health skills and expand their creativity and cultural awareness through the arts. Both Disney and Boys & Girls Clubs share the same values in championing the happiness and well-being of children, as well as motivating them to make a lasting, positive change in the world. The relationship between Boys & Girls Clubs and The Walt Disney Company started more than 50 years ago when Walt Disney was made an honorary member of the organization’s national board of directors.

“We are proud to serve children at Clubs in Brevard County where there is a need  for comprehensive, dedicated youth development services and where all young people can come to realize their full potential as productive, responsible and caring citizens,” said Cain. “We are very grateful for this generous contribution from Disney Cruise Line, which will have an immediate impact on our community and encourage the next generation of local leaders. The opportunity to sail on the Disney Fantasy will create magical memories for these children and their families.”

Plaque and Key Exchange
In keeping with maritime tradition, Disney Cruise Line also hosted a plaque and key exchange with members of the port and community leaders commemorating the inaugural call of the Disney Fantasy on Port Canaveral.

Port Canaveral and the Central Florida region are experiencing sizeable economic benefits with the addition of the Disney Fantasy. The ship’s arrival is expected to generate more than 500 jobs in the region in 2012, according to a study by Martin Associates released earlier this month.

Disney Fantasy
After 18 months of construction in Germany, followed by a trans-Atlantic journey to New York for a Christening celebration, the Captain and crew of the Disney Fantasy are busily preparing to sail alternating seven-night itineraries to the Eastern and Western Caribbean, with a stop at Castaway Cay, Disney’s own private island in The Bahamas, beginning March 31.

The Disney Fantasy is the second of two new and significantly larger ships that have joined the Disney fleet, with a tonnage of 130,000, a length of 1,115 feet and a passenger capacity of 4,000 guests. Innovative entertainment, activities and dining abound, including two new Broadway-style stage spectaculars, an adults-only entertainment district inspired by the nightspots of Europe, an interactive adventure quest with The Muppets, and an opportunity for guests to become Disney animators for a night in Animator’s Palate restaurant. Guest favorites like the AquaDuck, the first water coaster at sea, can be found onboard the Disney Fantasy as well.

Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Florida
Since 1944, Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Florida has provided children from the local community between the ages of 6-18 with a safe place to learn and grow. Its membership totals more than 10,000 youth at 15 Clubs and 14 middle school sites in Brevard, Orange, Osceola and Seminole Counties. The mission of Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Florida is to inspire and enable all young people, especially those from disadvantaged circumstances, to realize their full potential as productive, responsible and caring citizens. For more information or to find out how you can support the Boys & Girls Clubs movement, call 407-841-6855 or visit www.bgccf.org.

Related articles

• Disney Fantasy Arrives Home at Port Canaveral (chipandco.com)

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