Cruise Planners – American Express Travel Takes Part in the Fight Against Cancer
The travel company raised nearly $140,000 in 2012 for various cancer research facilities
(L to R) Cruise Planners – American Express Travel Vice President of Technology Brian Schultz, CEO Michelle Fee, COO Vicky Garcia and CFO Tom Kruszewski with the many bears collected for Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital during the company’s annual convention. The Home Office team and family members at Ft. Lauderdale’s Light the Night Walk.
CORAL SPRINGS, Fla. – February 5, 2013 - Cruise Planners - American Express Travel, the nation’s largest home-based travel agent franchise network in the cruise industry, is celebrating the success of the company’s social responsibility program, CP Cares, having raised $137,000 in 2012 for charities including the South Florida chapter of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society®, Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital and other local organizations.
Throughout the year, as part of CP Cares, CP Home Office and franchisees worked tirelessly to support The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society® (LLS), the world’s largest voluntary health agency dedicated to blood cancers. Following a 10-week campaign where Cruise Planners Home Office team reached out to franchise owners, travel industry partners, vendors and friends, CP Cares raised a record-breaking $115,000 for LLS with COO Vicky Garcia being crowned LLS Woman of the Year, Ft. Lauderdale.
Moreover, as LLS Woman of the Year, Garcia led the annual Ft. Lauderdale LLS Light the Night Walk and walked alongside her team of nearly 40 Cruise Planners home office members and their families, further supporting the cause and raising over $6,000 for the evening’s event.
“We got involved with LLS because everyone’s lives have been affected by cancer in one way or another and we wanted to support this important organization,” said Garcia. “When one of our own travel advisors’ daughters was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia when merely 18 months old and enduring 27 months of chemotherapy, it really inspired us all to do whatever we can – big or small - to help in the fight against cancer. Working with LLS has been a great example of our positive Cruise Planners’ Cruisitude™ and how it has been embraced by the entire organization. Meredith will soon celebrate her 13th birthday, and has been crowned ‘Miss Cruisitude’ as many can learn from this incredible young lady”.
During the company’s annual convention in November, Cruise Planners held raffles and sold the company’s notorious “green and bling” merchandise to benefit LLS, raising $16,000 over a three-day period. A teddy bear and DVD drive benefitting the Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital was also held throughout the convention, with Cruise Planners donating more than 500 bears and 300 DVDs to the hospital.
Through the CP Cares umbrella program, Cruise Planners is committed to raising and donating funds to various charities as well as providing hands-on service to the community. In 2013, CP Cares will continue to support The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society® while also contributing to various local organizations throughout the year.
About Cruise Planners - American Express Travel
Named No.1 Cruise Tour / Travel Agency by Entrepreneur for the past ten years, Cruise Planners positions franchise owners for success by providing them with innovative marketing, booking and lead-generating tools as well as professional development and hands-on training with the industry’s top executives.
Headquartered in Coral Springs, Fla., Cruise Planners has achieved top producer status with every major cruise line. Accolades include a record nine Magellan Awards from Travel Weekly in 2012, Special Needs Group Accessible Travel Advocate Power Partners™ for 2012, American Express Travel Representative Excellence Award for seven years in a row (2004 – 2011), American Express Agency of the Year (2010), Royal Caribbean International Home-Based Partner of the Year (2007 – 2012), Norwegian Cruise Line Franchise Agency of the Year (2012-2013) and Home-Based Agency of the Year (2010), Celebrity Cruises Southeast Region Travel Agent Partner of the Year (2010), American Express Vacations Globe Award (2008 – 2012), Globus Family of Brands Premier Agency Partner (2009- 2012), Platinum Circle Member with Viking River Cruises (2009-2012), and Regent Seven Seas Cruises Top Producer. For information, visit www.cruiseplanners.com.