Carnival selects Andy Cook and Tina Berwanger as the Race to the Altar contest winners

(Charleston, SC, February 28, 2011) – Charleston residents Andy Cook and Tina Berwanger have been chosen as the winning couple in Carnival Cruise Lines’ Race to the Altar contest and will receive the FIRST ever Cooper River Bridge Run wedding in Marion Square — a FIRST for Charleston, a FIRST for the Run, and a FIRST for Carnival!

Carnival launched a nationwide search and invited couples to submit an application for a chance to be the first to tie the knot in Marion Square, after racing to the altar in the 2011 Cooper River Bridge Run. The winning couple was selected from dozens of finalists based on their inspiring personal story, creativity of their submission, and their overall enthusiasm for the opportunity. Carnival Cruise Lines’ Race to the Altar fundraiser will benefit MUSC Children’s Hospital as part of a year-long partnership. The fundraiser will occur at the Finish Festival where, for every Carnival slushy served, $1 will be donated to the hospital, up to $10,000.

“We are truly excited to give Tina and Andy a wedding to remember and to inject some fantastic, Carnival-style fun and excitement into their very special day,” said Jim Berra, chief marketing officer for Carnival Cruise Lines. “The festivities will not only be meaningful for the bride and groom, but for everyone at the Finish Festival who comes by and joins us for a celebratory slushy in a champagne cup to help raise funds for the MUSC Children’s Hospital.”

Andy and Tina will be the first couple to ever be married in Marion Square after running the Cooper River Bridge Run. In addition, they will also receive:
· First dance at the Cooper River Bridge Run Finish Festival in front of family, friends and 40,000 fellow runners
· Honeymoon in an ocean view stateroom on a five-day Bahamas cruise aboard Carnival Cruise Lines’ Fantasy

About the Couple:
Andy Cook, originally from Greensboro, N.C., met Tina Berwanger, originally from Winston-Salem, N.C., while taking a class together in college. In the time they have dated, they have been through a lot together, including a life changing commitment to a healthy lifestyle. Together, Andy and Tina have lost 115 pounds through diet and exercise. They motivate each other and have taken on this lifestyle change as a team. On April 2, Andy and Tina will Race to the Altar at the 2011 Cooper River Bridge Run, symbolizing their commitment to their healthy lifestyle as they commit to each other.

Carnival Cruise Lines’ sponsorship of the Cooper River Bridge Run and the Race to the Altar fundraiser are part of Carnival’s year-long partnership with MUSC Children’s Hospital. Funds raised during the Bridge Run through participation of the Charleston public will be donated by Carnival to MUSC Children’s Hospital. The partnership includes several in-kind and monetary donations and fundraisers, as well as bringing smiles and fun to the patients of the MUSC Children’s Hospital with quarterly visits by Carnival Fantasy crew members.
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