Crystal Cruises' volunteers to aid more needy European communities In 2012
Crystal Cruises continues to expand its complimentary "You Care, We Care" voluntourism program with new opportunities for guests and crew to give back in Europe.
This year, participants can spend a small portion (4-7 hours average) of their luxury vacation time aiding those less fortunate in the Ukraine, Italy, and Spain. The offerings add to a calendar of European goodwill opportunities already established for Greece, Estonia, Norway, Croatia, Germany, and Ireland in 2012.
New philanthropic offerings include:
• Providing assistance to the homeless at a social services center in Odessa.
• Aiding the 400 year-old charity brotherhood of Pio Monte della Misericordia, on excursions from Sorrento and Naples.
• Maintaining the gardens/greenhouses of Olacau's AIDEM Association, which supports disabled persons in the gardening field (from Valencia).
• Helping to protect endangered marine life at the CRAM Foundation in Barcelona.
"Since launching last year, this program has fostered an environment for understanding and caring about cultures, places, animals, and people in a way that traditional shore excursions often don't," says John Stoll, vice president, land and port operations. "Worthwhile causes that serve the people and the communities in destinations around the world, and enable our guests and staff to help them hands-on during their travels."