Madrid, July 5, 2019 - Pullmantur Cruises - the only cruise line on the market that brings the Spanish lifestyle to the way of traveling on a cruise - and Envera - a non-profit organization that works for the social and labor inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities - have signed a collaboration agreement aimed at promoting the social and labor inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities and raising awareness in society.
In this way, the company joins the social work that Envera has been developing for more than 40 years, accompanying people with intellectual disabilities on their life's journey, providing care services to more than 2,500 people with intellectual disabilities a year and stable and protected employment to more than 650.
Specifically, Pullmantur Cruises collaborates with Envera Punto de Inclusión (a pioneering project in Europe), through the donation – once the legally established deadline has passed – of suitcases and items lost by its passengers.
Subsequently, these are marketed in the three establishments (Madrid, Pozuelo de Alarcón and Valladolid) that the entity has and which are managed by people with disabilities, generating eleven direct jobs and about thirty indirect ones.
The funds obtained from sales are used by Envera to finance different social projects promoted by the association and aimed at assisting people with intellectual disabilities and their social and labor inclusion.
Pullmantur's President & CEO, Richard J. Vogel , says that "we are very pleased to begin collaborating on this project for two reasons: firstly, it is an initiative that has come from our employees, which demonstrates once again their commitment to society and, secondly, because it seeks the employment inclusion of people with disabilities, a fundamental aspect to achieve social inclusion."
In this regard, Vogel highlights the role that Envera Punto de Inclusión plays in raising awareness. To create a more tolerant environment, it is “very important to make society aware—not only with words but also with actions—that we all have different abilities,” she adds.
The President & CEO concludes: “While we have just begun working with Envera, our intention is to promote other actions within our company that will allow us to strengthen our commitment to this entity that carries out extraordinary work.”.
For his part, the CEO of Envera, Pedro Sobrino, points out the “importance of having exemplary organizations like Pullmantur to achieve, together, a fairer and better world.”
Sobrino also affirms that “corporate social responsibility is a strategic element for 21st-century companies that operate by embracing the global values of sustainability, inclusion, diversity, innovation, and progress. And Envera will always be an ally in achieving this.”.
Solidarity Recycling Center
Before reaching the points of sale, the items donated by the companies go through the Solidarity Recycling Center, an area of the Special Employment Center that Envera manages in Colmenar Viejo (Madrid).
Once received, they are received, organized and distributed either among the three Envera Inclusion Points or donated to other non-profit organizations to help disadvantaged people or those at risk of exclusion.
Moved by your heart
Under this name is framed the internal Corporate Social Responsibility program of Pullmantur Cruises.
Launched in early 2016, this program and the charitable initiatives it encompasses are promoted and driven by the company's own team of volunteers. Since its inception, 'Moved by Your Heart' has involved more than 200 Pullmantur Cruises professionals who have collaborated with various foundations and non-profit organizations such as the Spanish Association Against Cancer (AECC), Juegaterapia, Riendamiga, Cooperación Internacional, the Food Bank, and Save the Children in in-person volunteer programs, donation drives, and awareness campaigns.
