The Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA) Holiday Gift Project is an annual Project coordinated by the St. Maarten Tourism Bureau in collaboration with the FCCA. This event started many years ago.
Every year the FCCA donates 200 gifts to a selected school on St. Maarten. The schools chosen were the afternoon school programs namely:
• Sister Magda Primary School
• Sister Marie Laurence Primary School
• Sister Borgia primary School
• Sister Regina Primary School
• St. Joseph Primary School
On Thursday December 6th, this event took place on board the cruise ship Carnival Sunshine where over two hundred children received gifts, entertainment and lunch aboard the ship.
Through this venture children throughout the Caribbean are treated to a very special Holiday as they received their gifts delivered by the cruise line.
“Christmas is one the greatest times of the year, and our Ministry of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunications (Ministry TEATT) and the St. Maarten Tourism Bureau have been part of this tradition for a long time, and knowing that this program gives back to our youth brings not only joy too them but also to us who are able to make it happen,” says Director of Tourism May-Ling Chun.
The event was a huge success and students and teachers were very happy as you could see the joy and happiness of the kids.
Minister of TEATT the Honorable Stuart Johnson said that the continued support of our destination by our Cruise partners is especially heartfelt.
“The FCCA and several cruise lines have done a great many things that touch the lives of our people through social development outreach programs.
“I look forward both to the continued excellent working relationship with the FCCA as well as its continued support of St. Maarten and its people. This giving of gifts for the Holidays is an especially touching gesture from the FCCA and on behalf of the Government of St. Maarten and the Ministry of TEATT, I thank you,” Minister of Tourism Stuart Johnson said on Tuesday.
Director of Tourism May-Ling Chun wishes to thank the FCCA for their extra ordinary generosity bestowed and for once again bringing holiday cheer to the children of St. Maarten.