FCCA Foundation for the Caribbean Assists in
the Rebuilding of the Straw Market
October 8, 2001

The Member Lines of the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA) through The Foundation for the Caribbean donated US$25,000 to the National Disaster Fund of the Bahamas to help rebuild the straw market in Nassau.

On Tuesday, September 4, the world-famous straw market and the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism in downtown Nassau were victims of arson, which left more than 500 vendors and their employees out of work. While only a temporary site, the old Bahamas Electricity Corporation parking lot at the western end of Bay Street has been designated to the straw vendors until a new, permanent facility is built. The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism will temporarily relocate its operations to various government and private sector buildings until a space is secured.

The FCCA Foundation for the Caribbean was established in 1993 as a tangible vehicle for the cruise industry to participate in the effort to improve the lives of Caribbean citizens through the funding for humanitarian and social causes. Since its inception, the Foundation has given assistance and grants to hundreds of charities and organizations. Therefore what better way to show the Bahamian people we care, than by helping them rebuild.

The presentation of the donation was made by the FCCA’s Chairman, Micky Arison, Carnival Corporation’s Chairman and CEO to the Government of the Bahamas at the opening ceremony of the FCCA Caribbean Cruise Conference and Trade Show in Aruba on Wednesday, October 3, 2001.

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