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Nearly 10 million children in impoverished countries die every year ofpreventable illnesses before they reach the age of five because they lack thesimplest of things -- clean drinking water, basic medicines, mosquito netting,and nutrition. In September 2008, Crystal Cruises became a founding partnerof the Conde Nast Traveler Five & Alive Fund, a program supporting childrenfive and under in more than 30 countries around the world by preventing andtreating malaria, water-borne illness, pneumonia and malnutrition.
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Effective today, a link at crystalcruises.com enables people to make a taxdeductible monetary contribution to Five & Alive. Additionally, CrystalCruises' onboard guests can make cash or check donations via an in-stateroomenvelope, charge to their shipboard folios, or donate their shipboard credits.
Beginning in January, Crystal is introducing a selection of retailmerchandise in which 100% of net proceeds will benefit the charity. Gift shopproducts include high end bracelets designed by Hubert Gems, speciallydesigned polo and t-shirts and the coveted Webkinz(R) stuffed toys, all ofwhich will be available in Crystal's onboard shopping boutiques.
In 2009, Crystal Cruises is also scheduling four unique onboard auctionsconducted by the Cruise Directors on Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity.In addition to various Crystal Cruises memorabilia, the line will auctionunique and exclusive experiences, such as appearing on its in-room televisionprogramming or behind-the-scenes private events with the executive chef andhead sommelier. Auctions are planned for the line's March 9 Trans-pacificcruise from Los Angeles to Hong Kong, its April 16 World Cruise finale fromYokohama to Los Angeles, its May 17 cruise from Dubai to Athens, and theNovember 12 Transatlantic cruise from Lisbon to Miami.
As little as $5 can provide a long-lasting, insecticide-treated malarianet to an African child and his mother for three years. Only $25 can buylifesaving pneumonia antibiotics treatment that will save the lives of morethan 100 children. Just $50 can distribute enough oral rehydration salts tosave 500 children's lives in India, and $100 can provide more than 35 familiesin Malawi with safe drinking water for a year.
"I was so impressed that so little can do so much and that more than 90%of money received funds programs that reach the field," says Gregg Michel,president of Crystal Cruises, who with cruise director, Gary Hunter,personally joined Five & Alive in Rwanda to view the organization's efforts."While we continue to support numerous philanthropic projects, we are inspiredand committed to raising money and awareness. Although the western world isexperiencing its own financial challenges, children around the world arefacing a dire need for basic services."
About Five & Alive & Crystal Cruises
Five & Alive is a non-profit program of Population Services International(PSI). Grounded in more than a decade of accolades from travelers andcritics, Crystal Cruises is dedicated to raising shipboard and shore-sideawareness of responsible and respectful treatment of the environments throughwhich we travel.
For more information and to make a donation, visithttp://www.crystalcruises.com/partnerhome.aspx. For more information aboutCrystal Cruises and reservations, contact a travel agent or call 888-799-4625,or visit the luxury line's website crystalcruises.com.
SOURCE Crystal Cruises
