As thousands of passengers lined up at the Port of Tampa in Channelside for their week in the Western Caribbean, and while the last of the stragglers finally accepted their week of paradise, onboard Paradise, was over, approximately 150 children from the Boys and Girls Club of Tampa Bay and the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals summer camp were ushered aboard the Carnival Cruise Lines ship Carnival Paradise — not for a cruise but to hear a sports star read them a story.
And this was no ordinary star, nor was it an ordinary story. The book that Evan Longoria, the Rays all-star third baseman and slugger, read to the children was the first new Dr. Seuss book in 25 years.
Last Thursday, with his wife and young daughter in attendance, Longoria played father and storyteller to 150 children, along with dogs from Tampa Bay area shelters, and helped to raise funds for animals in the Tampa Bay area through various programs supported by Carnival Cruise Lines. And in the process, with Carnival, he helped to provide a highly unique experience for local children aboard the large and beautiful Carnival Paradise cruise ship.
Wearing a Seuss Cat in the Hat striped hat, Longoria read the newly released book by Dr. Seuss, also known as Ted Geisel, What Pet Should I Get?, a book that was created from a manuscript and sketches created by Geisel and discovered after his death in 1991.
After the reading in one of the theaters aboard Carnival Paradise, Longoria joined the presentation of a $5,000 donation from Carnival to the Tampa Bay Chapter of the SPCA. Carnival also made a matching donation to one of Longoria’s projects — donating $100 to Pet Pal Animal Shelter in St. Petersburg for every home run he hits during the 2015 season. Carnival presented a check for $2,000 in matching donations to the shelter.
Longoria then made himself available to admiring children; taking time to talk baseball, pose for photos and pet some of the dogs in attendance.
After the reading, and while passengers began streaming aboard for their cruise to the Western Caribbean, Longoria and his family joined the children in one of the ship’s dining rooms for a breakfast of, naturally, green eggs and ham.
Also on hand were the Cat in the Hat, Thing 1 and Thing 2 as well has Sam I Am.
The event for the children and the donations made were acts of local generosity for both Longoria and Carnival Cruise Lines. Carnival launched its Seuss at Sea program fleet-wide in 2014 as a family-friendly entertainment experience for their passengers sailing with children. The program includes a Seuss-a-palooza parade, story time and interactions with Dr. Seuss characters, toys and games, along with popular movies.
“I was thrilled to participate in this very special event that not only provided local kids with an opportunity to be among the first to read along with the newest Dr. Seuss book but also supports a cause that I hold close to my heart,” Longoria said. “With Carnival matching my own pledge of $100 to Pet Pal Animal Shelter for every home run I hit, I’m really looking forward to a great second half with the Rays.”
Longoria was a first-round draft pick for the Rays and was named the American League Rookie of the Year in 2008. A three-time All-Star and two-time Golden Glove winner, he holds the team record for the most home runs, doubles and RBIs. He is also a Major League Baseball iron man, playing 242 consecutive games through the end of the 2014 season. The third baseman is a team and MLB star and is considered by many to be the face of the Rays. His $100 million contract with the team runs through 2022.
With a home stand against the Mets this weekend, you could see Longoria and the Rays in action at Tropicana Field with games on Friday at 7:10 p.m., Saturday at 6:10 p.m. and on Sunday at 1:10 p.m.
Carnival operates a fleet of 24 ships, with sailings ranging from three to 16 days, ranging from the Bahamas, Eastern and Western Caribbean to the Pacific Islands. Carnival ships sail out of the Port of Tampa year-round, providing a convenient, cost-effective vacation resource for Bay Area residents.
For more information about Carnival Cruise Lines, visit www.carnival.com.
For more information about the Tampa Bay Area chapter of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, visit spcatampabay.org.
For more information about Pet Pal Animal Shelter, visit www.petpalanimalshelter.com.
For more information about the Tampa Bay Rays, visit tampabay.rays.mlb.com.