Hey there! We’re Bill and Cathleen Huckaby—Tennessee-based, cruise-obsessed, do-gooding humans living near the Smoky Mountains and trying to keep the squirrels off our bird feeder.

Back in the day, we had a sweet gig as Guest Lecturers on Norwegian Cruise Lines, giving medical talks while sailing the Caribbean (what a gig, right?). Yet every time we docked, just past the sparkle of jewelry shops and fridge magnets were sobering sights—poverty, stray dogs, and many locals in need. On. Every. Single. Island. Talk about a reality check.

Cue dramatic music: Margarita Night at our favorite Mexican restaurant.

Cathy (aka the idea factory) tossed out a gem (along with some chips and salsa): what if we connected do-gooder cruise passengers with local existing Caribbean charities for ½ day volunteer adventures? Think: shore excursion… but with heart.

Bill (aka the realist): “Great idea. I’m sure someone else is already doing it.”

Cathy: sips margarita “Hope so. We’re waaaay too busy raising 4 kids and working full time” & they clinks glasses Ole’!

Spoiler alert: No one else was doing it.

So in 2009, Hope Floats was born—(yes we snagged the NAME from a movie starring Sandra Bullock: Cathy’s a superfan, don’t judge). We started a legit 501(c)(3) nonprofit by wading through red tape, paying wild international phone bills (no WhatsApp back then, kids), and learned a lot the hard way.

But it worked! Bit by bit, we added islands, built partnerships with amazing nonprofits, and watched volunteers ages 4 to 95 make unforgettable memories while actually making a difference. By 2019, we had grown 329%. (Our board did a happy dance. Not all at once, but still.)

Then… BAM. Covid hit like a rogue wave. In 7 days, every cruise ship stopped.

But plot twist! Flash forward a few years, we’re chilling on our cruise balcony, when a German “Sustainability Manager” from the ship (also on vacay) leans over his railing next door saying: “Hallo!” Fast-forward a few hours and—BAM!—a new idea is born.

We flipped our model 180°, and pivoted BIG-time! Now we’re no longer sending volunteers—we’re sending STUFF.

Think: Robin Hoods of the Seas (but with less archery, NO tights, and more logistics). We help cruise ships donate gently used goods—linens, furniture, appliances—to our same beloved charities (25 of them now!) on 17 different Caribbean islands/nations.

No masks, no capes. Just a whole lot of heart—and maybe a few more margaritas:)