Holiday Fun on the Water Benefits Forgotten Children’s Fund!
Holiday Cruises coming up! If you are looking for a great family activity during the holidays, the Steamship Virginia V is running some holiday cruises, and part of the proceeds will benefit a group I’m working with — the Forgotten Children’s Fund. The FCF is an amazing group (that you’ll be hearing more about soon as they gear up after Thanksgiving) that delivers more than 20,000 toys, jackets and bicycles to more than 700 local families in need at Christmas. So if you want to get out on the water (dress warmly) for a good cause, you’ll want to check out the information below.
Steamship Virginia V Offers Holiday Cruises to Benefit Local Fund
Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus for forgotten children
Seattle, Wash –The Steamship Virginia V Foundation presents three Holiday Cruises, December 2, 18 and 23. These special cruises depart from South Lake Union Park, 860 Terry Avenue North, aboard the 1922 vintage National Historic Landmark Steamship Virginia V. Tickets can be purchased at www.virginiav.org/events.
Treat your family and friends to an unforgettable holiday experience. Enjoy the sights and sounds of the holidays from the water, with opportunities to join the Christmas ships aboard this beautifully preserved 125-foot steam-powered vessel each night.
Thursday, Dec. 2 – Depart South Lake Union Park: 7:00 pm. Return: 10:30 pm. Enjoy a 3 ½ hour cruise and an opportunity to join the Christmas Ships at Beaux Arts. Tickets are $29 and $39. (Boxed meals are available at an additional charge.)
Saturday, December 18 – Dessert Cruise- Depart South Lake Union Park: 8:30 pm. Return: 11:30 pm. Enjoy a 3-hour cruise, sumptuous desserts, and an opportunity to join the Christmas ships at Matthews Beach. Tickets are $39 and $49.
Thursday, December 23 – Depart South Lake Union Park: 7:30 pm. Return: 10:30 pm. Enjoy a 3-hour cruise, specialty desserts, and an opportunity to join the Christmas ships for the festivities at Portage Bay and Gas Works Parks. Tickets are $39 and $49.
“Virginia V is proud to celebrate the spirit of the holidays,” says Steve Holmes, Steamship Virginia V Foundation President. “We invite all of you to come aboard and experience a bit of maritime history and the best of the season.”
In addition to providing this unique experience, as a special holiday gift to the community, Steamship Virginia V will donate a portion of the Holiday Cruises proceeds to the Seattle-based non-profit organization, Forgotten Children’s Fund (FCF). http://www.forgottenchildrensfund.org/
Started by a letter in 1976 written to Santa Claus from a child who missed out on Christmas, the Forgotten Children’s Fund is an organization that steps in to help those families who have fallen on hard times and receive little or no aid from other organizations. Families are referred by schools, churches, police agencies, and others. More than 1000 volunteers receive letters from families and then deliver upwards of 20,000 toys, books, clothing, blankets and other necessities at the holidays. Volunteer Gordon Fouts, who has been with the organization for 35 years says, “We’re thrilled to receive support from the Virginia V. The Forgotten Children’s Fund is a wonderful opportunity to enjoy the season in a unique way while helping families who aren’t receiving other types of aid. Through generous donations from community groups like Virginia V, we’re already buying new toys, bicycles, winter coats and food that our Santa Claus and Elf volunteers will distribute at Christmas.”
For more information, please visit www.virginiav.org and www.forgottenchildrensfund.org.
The Virginia V [V5] is a 125-foot historic steamship built in 1922 for the West Past Transportation Company to carry freight and passengers between Vashon Island and Seattle and Tacoma. A National Historic Landmark, the V5 is the last operational woodenhull, steam-powered vessel of the Puget Sound’s famed ‘Mosquito Fleet’. Maintenance and excursions aboard the vessel are operated by The Steamer Virginia V Foundation, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization whose mission is to promote Puget Sound maritime history through the restoration, preservation, operation and interpretation of the S.S. Virginia V. ###
