Carnival and Carrie Underwood Join Forces with Operation Homefront | Cruise News – Jan. 28, 2016

Carnival and Carrie Underwood Join Forces with Operation Homefront to Support Troops

Cruise News – Jan. 28, 2016

Carnival Cruise Line has teamed up with Grammy winner Carrie Underwood and the national nonprofit Operation Homefront in an initiative dubbed “Honor. Family. Fun.”

The year-long program will raise funds for Operation Homefront, dedicated to building strong, stable, and secure military families, and will culminate in a pierside concert for military personnel and their families aboard the family-friendly Carnival Vista.

“Military families represent a cornerstone of our country and we are honored by the opportunity to partner with Carrie and Operation Homefront to bring much needed awareness and aid to our troops and their loved ones,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line. “The partnership will bring to life many of the heartwarming stories our troops have to share while in turn bringing them some fun along the way.”

In 10 cities along the course of Underwood’s The Storyteller Tour, which kicks off in Jacksonville, Florida, on January 30, select military families, chosen in partnership with Operation Homefront, will spend time with Underwood before her concerts. A video series highlighting the meet-and-greets and the families’ individual stories will be featured on carnival.com.

Underwood will also join the Carnival LIVE! roster of artists in early 2017.

“Just being able to talk with the Carnival members about how family-friendly and family-focused all of the ships are, I mean, that’s my world! Country music is all about real people and real families,” Underwood said at the “Honor. Family. Fun.” launch in Jacksonville. “As far as Operation Homefront and all of things that you guys do, it just blows my mind. Country music has definitely always been extremely supportive of military members and their families, and I’m honored to be working with you guys.”

Carnival cruisers and Underwood fans alike will have the opportunity to chip in by clicking on the “Donate Now” button on carnival.com/HonorFamilyFun. Commemorative dog tags will also be available for purchase at merchandise stands at all Storyteller Tour stops as well as on board the fleet of Carnival ships with all proceeds going to Operation Homefront.

In the coming weeks, each Carnival Cruise Line ship will host a special event to recognize active and retired military personnel and their families, starting with with a welcome video featuring Underwood.

“Carnival Cruise Line really knows what it means to support our men and women in uniform and their families,” said retired Brigadier General John I. Pray Jr., president and CEO of Operation Homefront.  “We are absolutely thrilled to be partnering with the Carnival team and superstar Carrie Underwood to focus on the challenges our military families face as they work tirelessly to protect the freedoms we enjoy daily.”

^{Photo: Carnival Cruise Line/Andy Newman/Carnival Cruise Line/HO}

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