Disney's Season(s) of Giving

How the Mouse spreads magic - and how you can spread some of your own

- by Bob McLain, December 8, 2010

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It's not hard to find bad press about Disney.

Even dedicated Disney bloggers, on occasion, delight in the snide and the snarky - which mostly comes across as the stupid and the silly.

Disney has been so successful over the years marketing itself as something more than a really big corporation that some folks are shocked when it behaves not like the 'happiest place on earth' but more like one of the biggest bottom lines on earth.

But you might be surprised at how much happiness Disney spreads by morphing its money into magic for the needy.

So, in 'line' with the giving spirit of the holiday season, let's have a glimpse:

• Over the past 16 years, Walt Disney World Resort has raised more than $3.45 million for Junior Achievement of Central Florida, an organization that teaches the basics of the free enterprise system to secondary school students.

• In 2009, Walt Disney World Cast Members filled more than 6,000 backpacks for Central Florida students and contributed more than 650,000 school supplies to S.T.A.R.S. and A Gift for Teaching for use in local classrooms.
• Walt Disney World Resort is the largest corporate contributor in the area to the Heart Of Florida United Way, with Disney Cast Members donating approximately $3 million annually to the organization. Heart of Florida supports local agencies who help hundreds of thousands of Central Florida residents in need.
• In March 2010, Florida Hospital for Children opened the lobby of the Walt Disney Pavilion, marking the first significant milestone for the hospital and part of a $10 million commitment by Walt Disney World Resort and Disney Worldwide Outreach. The lobby, designed by Disney Imagineers, uses fantasy, imagination and adventure to create a welcoming, healing environment for young patients.
• Disney VoluntEARS have collected more than 23,000 toys to donate to Toys for Tots last holiday season.
• In 2009, Disney granted nearly 7,000 wish trips for children and donated more than 38,000 complimentary tickets valued at more than $9 million to Give Kids the World Village and other wish-granting organizations. Give Kids includes Disney among its 'Platinum Corporate Heroes', their highest level of distinction.
• In 2009, the Disney Harvest program donated more than 33,000 pounds of prepared food per month - valued at more than $2.4 million - as part of a program run by the Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida. More than 1,000 local children were fed weekly through these efforts.

If you're able, why not lend your support to one or more of these organizations? Or better yet, find a local branch or group that does equally fine work in your area.

It doesn't have to be much. You don't need to give 33,000 pounds of prepared food or fill 6,000 backpacks to make a difference.

I believe that the most valuable gift you can give is your willingness to give. Once you're past that hurdle, things start to happen, and others tend to pitch in.

Here's hoping everyone has Happy Holidays this year!

Don't stop there! More Tidings Await...