 |
Since 1923, The Walt Disney Company has been dedicated to making the lives of children and families more magical through its legendary entertainment experiences. Spreading magic through charitable activities has also been an integral part of the Company’s heritage from its earliest days, when Walt Disney and his employees donated toys and funds to hospitalized children and designed the first Toys for Tots train logo.
DisneyHand, worldwide outreach for The Walt Disney Company, continues Walt’s vision and is dedicated to making dreams a reality through public service initiatives, community outreach and volunteerism in the areas of compassion, learning, the arts and the environment. In 2004, DisneyHand contributed more than $165 million in cash, in-kind support and public service airtime globally.
In addition, dedicated Disney Cast Members are committed to giving back to their communities across the globe. Through the Disney VoluntEARS program, employees contributed more than 461,000 hours to 1,852 outreach projects last year.
VoluntEARS visited children’s hospitals to deliver DisneyHand care packages filled with toys, books and games provided by Disney businesses. These care packages, delivered in conjunction with Starlight Starbright Children's Foundation, go to every children's hospital in the nation. Mickey Mouse and friends also visit children's hospitals globally to bring smiles to young patients.
Disney is the largest wish-granting provider for children with life-threatening medical conditions. As part of Disneyland’s 50th anniversary in 2005, the Resort and DisneyHand will kick off a year-long celebration of making wishes come true and will fulfill the 50,000th Disney theme park wish. The Disney Magic cruise ship will host a star-studded family fundraiser and DisneyHand will throw the ultimate birthday party at Disneyland – site of the very first official wish – for Make-A-Wish Foundation® families from around the world.
Learning is another key element of DisneyHand's mission. The DisneyHand Teacher Awards salutes creative kindergarten through 12th grade teachers. The awards program has honored hundreds of teachers and has contributed millions of dollars to the profession since 1989. DisneyHand Reading Together, which helps parents and caregivers read with children in ways that are engaging and effective, puts books and information in the hands of families. Disney Publishing Worldwide has donated more than seven million books to non-profit First Book, giving children in need the opportunity to own new books.
For comprehensive information about The Walt Disney Company's outreach projects and programs, please visit www.DisneyHand.com.
|
|
A child at an American Red Cross shelter hugs her new Mickey toys.
Pluto spends time with a special friend.
Raven and the cast of That's So Raven encourage kids to volunteer and be Disney Adventures All-Stars.
|
