WASHINGTON, DC – The Cruise Industry Charitable Foundation (CICF) is proud to award Michelle’s Foundation a grant of $10,000 to support children, students and families in Key West, Florida.

“The Cruise Industry Charitable Foundation seeks to support programs designed to improve the quality of life in communities where cruise lines operate and work in partnership with local businesses,” said Michael McGarry, executive director,CICF. “It’s inspiring to see all the great work being done by volunteers at Michelle’s Foundation to support youth in their community through tutoring, meals and scholarships for low-income students. The Cruise Industry Charitable Foundation is honored to support such a worthy organization.”

“We’re grateful to receive this generous grant from CICF and look forward to applying it to our many student-focused initiatives,” said Michael Halpern, founder of Michelle’s Foundation. “With support from organizations such as CICF, Michelle’s Foundation can continue its important work to support Key West children, student and families.”

Will an all-volunteer staff, donations to Michelle’s Foundation directly support a number of activities, including:

• Michelle’s Willie Wonka Chocolate Festival: Benefiting the Cancer Foundation of the Florida Keys, an all-volunteer, grassroots, non-profit organization dedicated to helping cancer patients while they are undergoing treatment;
• Michelle Keevan Halpern Center for Learning: Providing at risk students in Monroe County, Florida with free tutoring and learning skills;
• Michelle Halpern Scholarships: Giving full tuition scholarships to students in need, many of whom are working to support themselves while attending community colleges and state universities; and
• Food for Thought: Offering the last meal of the day for students who need more than meals provided through the federally-funded free breakfast and free lunch programs.

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About Cruise Industry Charitable Foundation (CICF)
The nonprofit Cruise Industry Charitable Foundation (CICF), founded in 1998, focuses its efforts on programs designed to strengthen and improve the quality of life in communities served by members of the Cruise Lines International Association. CICF supports civic and community development, educational assistance and training programs, and environmental preservation initiatives. CICF supporters include: AIDA Cruises, AMA Waterways, American Cruise Lines, Azamara Club Cruises, Carnival Cruise Lines, Celebrity Cruises, Costa Cruises, Crystal Cruises, Cunard Line, Disney Cruise Line, Holland America Line, MSC Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises, Paul Gauguin Cruises, Pearl Seas Cruises, Princess Cruises, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Royal Caribbean International, Seabourn Cruise Line, SeaDream Yacht Club, Silversea Cruises, Tauck River Cruises, Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection, and Windstar Cruises.