The Walt Disney Company is well known for supporting Children’s Hospitals in the communities where it has a presence. In Florida they’ve built a whole pavilion for the Florida Hospital for Children. In California, the support for the Children’s Hospital of Orange County is great.… Read More »The Walt Disney Company to build play areas at Children’s Hospitals across China
As Central Florida’s largest employer, Walt Disney World does not take lightly its responsibility to the community in which it operates. Each year it donates millions of dollar of cash and in-kind goods and services to local non-profits and charities. They’ve just released their total… Read More »Walt Disney World donates record $44 million to Central Florida charities in 2015
The Walt Disney World resort made a surprise donation of $500,000 to the Homeless Impact Fund to help share the joy of the holiday season and care for families in need. The Fund, which represents the largest commitment to housing for the homeless in Central… Read More »Holiday donation of $500,000 given to Central Florida Homeless Impact Fund by Walt Disney World
With nearly 75,000 Cast Members who call Central Florida home, the Walt Disney World Resort has a significant stake in the success of Central Florida as a community. As such they’re committed to making a difference in the community. In 2014, that commitment added up to a record $37.9 million in Disney’s cash and in-kind donations aimed at strengthening local children and families.
“Here at Walt Disney World Resort, our Cast Members are honored to give back to the community in a variety of ways – from supporting our schools to grants for local nonprofits to the countless hours our VoluntEARS devote to the causes close to their hearts,” said Nancy Gidusko, director of corporate citizenship for Walt Disney World Resort.
The list of support Disney provides is long. Below are just a few examples:
Read More »In 2014 Walt Disney World donated more to Central Florida Community than ever before
The school year is wrapping up and it’s time for Disney’s 31st annual salute to Central Florida’s youngest humanitarians and community service leaders. This year Walt Disney World Resort recognized 15 local students with exceptional achievements, naming them Disney Dreamers & Doers Shining Stars.
Making a difference through their kindness and hard work, Disney Dreamers & Doers consistently demonstrate outstanding character and lead by example. Students selected for the Shining Star distinction include a second grader who befriends and assists disabled students, an eighth grader who created a documentary promoting South African girls’ education and a high school senior whose guidance in fitness and nutrition helped a friend lose more than 100 pounds.
“Here at Walt Disney World Resort, we continue to be impressed by our community’s youngest citizens and are inspired by the positive impact they have on Central Florida,” said Nancy Gidusko, director of community relations for Walt Disney World Resort. “Through compassion, vision and hard work, these dedicated students act on their dreams of changing the world.”
Approximately 400 students were chosen by their schools for this distinguished award. From all the 2014 Disney Dreamers & Doers named, a panel of judges selected the 15 Shining Stars from elementary, middle and high schools in Lake, Orange, Osceola, Polk and Seminole counties. In its 31st year, the Disney Dreamers & Doers program has recognized nearly 13,000 students since the program began.
“We’re proud of all of our students at Lawton Chiles Middle School, but it’s especially gratifying to count a Disney Dreamer & Doer Shining Star among our Panthers,” said Dr. Margaret Gunderson, principal of Lawton Chiles Middle School in Seminole County. “This honor exemplifies our school’s community spirit and commitment to excellence.”
Disney Dreamers & Doers Shining Stars receive a Mickey Mouse statue known as a “Mousecar,” a gold medallion and annual theme park passes for themselves and their immediate family.
Join us below the jump for a list of the shining stars and their inspiring accomplishments:
Read More »Disney’s Dreamers & Doers Highlights 15 Student Shining Stars
For all the craziness that goes on in the parks sometimes, it’s important to remember that Walt Disney World is part of the Central Florida community. As such it has made great contributions to many non-profits in the area, but the one that moves me the most was the amazing job the company did at Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children. They’re not stopping with the Walt Disney wing either, The Walt Disney Company just presented a $3 million gift to Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children to help fulfill a critical need in the treatment of young patients at the hospital’s Bert Martin’s Champions for Children Emergency Department & Trauma Center.
The gift will enable the purchase and installation of a new 3T MRI machine that will serve as a critical first step in the treatment of children in need of emergency and trauma care in addition to supporting other key pediatric programs at Arnold Palmer Hospital.
“Our friends at The Walt Disney Company have been great partners to Arnold Palmer Hospital since the day we opened our doors almost 25 years ago,” said John Bozard, president of the Arnold Palmer Medical Center Foundation. “We’re delighted that our partnership continues to this day as we look for new and innovative ways to extend our patient-centered philosophy and heighten the care we provide for children.”Read More »Disney Contributes $3 Million to Child Emergency Care at Arnold Palmer Hospital in Orlando
Editor: Please welcome new guest author Katie. She brings with her a unique business perspective to the blog. Forbes announced recently that a consulting firm called Reputation Institute has determined the companies with the best reputations for being socially responsible and being an overall good… Read More »The Walt Disney Company Named Most Socially Responsible
A short video from Walt Disney World highlights their important efforts at keeping a diverse supplier pipeline. Eugene Campbell, Vice President Domestic Minority Business Development, helps explain why Disney places such a high value on having a diverse group of suppliers. The video also has… Read More »Walt Disney Parks Displays Importance of Supplier Diversity