PRESS RELEASE

Dangriga, Stann Creek, Belize
Monday, February 8th, 2016

Tropic Air, The Airline of Belize, has announced the first month’s results of its 2016 nationwide #TropicGivesBack charitable fundraising campaign. For every ticket bought at the month’s selected station, $1 will be donated to an organization chosen by our staff stationed in that community. January was the chosen month for Dangriga, with Caye Caulker for February, and Belmopan for March.

As part of the airline’s largest charitable fundraiser of the year, Tropic Air business partners, staff and Customers joined efforts and raised $500 for the Dangriga Red Cross. A check was presented to the organization on Thursday, February 4th.

“Every year, our staff and customers, come together to raise much needed funds for a variety of charities with the joint goal of making a lasting impact,” said John Greif III, Tropic Air’s president. “We also encourage our customers to join in giving to the causes that they are passionate about”, he went on to say.

“Through the #TropicGivesBack Donation program, we are honored and privileged to support the work of the Dangriga Red Cross, and we couldn’t think of a better way to contribute to their efforts in the community,” said Steve Schulte, Tropic Air CEO.

“We thank our Employees for giving their time to volunteer around Belize, and we thank our Customers for the wonderful response to this program, which made the donation possible.”

About Tropic Air
Founded in 1979 by John Greif III with just a single airplane and two employees, Tropic has steadily grown to become the largest and most experienced airline in Belize. It now employs over 300 staff, offers over 200 daily scheduled flights to 18 desitnations in Belize, Mexico, Honduras and Guatemala.

Tropic believes in giving back. It supports the development of the communities its serves through health, sports, drug prevention, education and community projects. Tropic also supports the development and growth of the wider tourism industry of Belize through promotional initiatives locally and internationally.

About the Red Cross (Dangriga)
The Belize Red Cross Society, with 7 branches countrywide including Dangriga, is one of 189 members of the International Federation of Red Cross & Red Crescent Societies, (IFRC), the world’s largest humanitarian organization.  The Red Cross Movement became present in Belize in 1914. This movement became and operated as a branch of the British Red Cross in Belize until 1983 when, through an Act of Incorporation, it became the Belize Red Cross, a National Society in its own rights. In 1984 the Belize Red Cross was recognized as a member of the International Federation of Red Cross & Red Crescent Societies. In 1983, Belize Red Cross opened doors in Dangriga Town to serve the Stann Creek District.

Their work focuses in the areas of Community Resilience (disaster management & preparedness, response and recovery); and Disaster Risk Reduction and mitigation; HIV & AIDS prevention through Peer Education (TWC Program); Violence Prevention and Youth development;  First Aid & prevention of communicable diseases, Social Assistance (feeding programs, assistance to fire victims, wheelchair distribution) and dissemination of their 7 Fundamental Principles and Humanitarian Values. This work is carried out through recruitment, training and deployment of Volunteers, the greatest assets of the organization.

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