The Spirit of Giving

December is here, and with that comes the chaos of the year end – reconciling our 1994 accounts and budgets, making 1995 projections, signing bonus checks (hopefully) for our employees. And then there is the hustle and bustle of holiday cocktail parties and gift giving, the Christmas cards and fancy feasts. But, as we revel in our profits for the year with a cup of wassail in hand, do we ever stop to think about those who are less fortunate than ourselves? This is the time of year to remember that money isn’t everything and that we should give something back to the industry in which we made our fortunes (or, at least for some of us, our livelihoods).

Many would ask, “What can I possibly do for the maritime industry?” Here are several opportunities for giving which we hope you will consider. Some require your time or talent, while others ask that you dig into your treasury.

• Donate free shipping to international charitable organizations
Many international charities depend on the kindness of shipowners to get their relief supply commodities to those in need throughout the world. Americares is one such charity. Providing emergency medical and other disaster relief aid to over 80 countries, Americares relies on containership owners and operators to donate free or reduced-rate ocean freight for their shipments, and on local agents to forego port handling charges. President Stephen M. Johnson explained that the retail dollar value of in-kind donations to Americares has increased exponentially in the past five years from $74m to $290m. “For every extra box of supplies donated,” he said, “we require extra shipping.”

This is only an excerpt of The Spirit of Giving

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