United Way Sets Sail Aboard Allure of the Seas

raising $1.3 million to help improve lives in South Florida

Nearly 2,300 community and business leaders joined United Ways of Broward and Miami-Dade for a charity cruise aboard Royal Caribbean International’s newest ship, Allure of the Seas, which raised $1.3 million to help improve lives throughout Broward and Miami-Dade communities. In addition, $100,000 from the proceeds has been awarded to Royal Caribbean International’s education efforts in Haiti.

Among the highlights of the overnight cruise was the much-anticipated announcement of the ship’s godmother. During the naming ceremony, a larger-than-life Princess Fiona, from DreamWorks Animation’s film series “Shrek”, was unveiled as the first-ever 3-D animated godmother.

Colleen and Richard Fain of Royal Caribbean Cruises; Lady Monica Heftler; and Cheryl and Adam Goldstein of Royal Caribbean International served as honorary event co-chairs. Event co-chairs included Cesar Alvarez of Greenberg Traurig P.A.; Mike Jackson of AutoNation; Bill Mahoney of Mahoney & Associates; and Tom Shea of Right Management.

“We appreciate the generous support of all our sponsors, led by Cesar Alvarez & Greenberg Traurig, Miccosukee Resort & Gaming and Morrison, Brown, Argiz & Farra. Their caring translates into real help and hope for thousands in our community,” said Harve A. Mogul, president and CEO, United Way of Miami-Dade. “And once again, we are so grateful to the Royal Caribbean family for its extraordinary generosity and leadership. This charity cruise was an incredible gift to our two communities.”

“United Way of Broward County was honored for Royal Caribbean to include us in one of the largest one-night fundraisers in South Florida. The Allure of the Seas was the perfect setting to mingle with the fine community leaders that support our organizations,” said Dr. Jennifer O’Flannery Anderson, president and CEO, United Way of Broward County. “The proceeds will assist those in desperate need of help, and will be directly invested in programs that treat root causes of the issues facing Broward and Miami-Dade Counties.”

In addition to the naming ceremony, guests aboard the charity cruise enjoyed around-the-clock entertainment, including receptions, theatrical performances and some of the most creative and innovative amenities afloat at sea.

Top sponsors include Cesar Alvarez & Greenberg Traurig, P.A.; Miccosukee Resort & Gaming; Morrison, Brown, Argiz & Farra LLP; Aetna; AutoNation; Lady Monica Heftler; and New York Life/Mahoney & Associates. Additional sponsors include: ABB Concise; Jayne & Leonard Abess; AECOM; Akerman Senterfitt; Amadeus North America; American Airlines; ANF Group Inc.; Baltic Linen Co, Inc.; Bank of America; Baptist Health South Florida; Bunny Bastian; BB&T; Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida; Cisco Systems; Cisneros; City National Bank; Coventry Health Care of Florida; Ernst & Young; Eulen America; Flagler Development Group; Kira and Neil Flanzraich; FPL FiberNet; FreshPoint; Hewlett-Packard Company; Holland & Knight; JM Family Enterprises, Inc.; Kongsberg Maritime Inc.; KPMG International; Philip Levine; Meru Networks; Mainline Information Systems; MTN Satellite Communications; Northern Trust; Nova Southeastern University; Odebrecht; Perry Ellis International; Sabre Travel Network; Signature Grand; South Florida Business Journal; Steiner Transocean Limited;

STX Business Group; The Miami Herald/El Nuevo Herald; Under the Radar, Chicago; Wachovia, A Wells Fargo Company; Wartsila North America Inc; and Zuni Transportation, Inc.