Celebration in Disney California Adventure Park Salutes 30 years of Disney VoluntEARS Program
ANAHEIM, Calif. May 1, 2013 – The Disneyland Resort announced its 2013 VoluntEAR of the Year and VoluntEAR Team of the Year today at a Disney VoluntEARS 30th anniversary recognition ceremony held in Stage 17 at Disney California Adventure park. Hundreds of Disney VoluntEARS in attendance congratulated the recipients and were recognized by Disneyland Resort President and fellow Disney VoluntEAR Michael Colglazier for 30 years of commitment to helping charitable organizations.
“I am so proud of our Disney VoluntEARS for all that they have done for our community,” said Michael Colglazier, president of the Disneyland Resort. “It is very gratifying to see their passion, their generosity and their limitless energy reaching beyond the berm of our Resort to the organizations and families who need them most.”
Jon Storbeck, vice president of Disneyland park, was named 2013 VoluntEAR of the Year. Storbeck, a 30-year cast member, has volunteered since he began his career at the Disneyland Resort. He helped lead the original Disneyland Community Action Team, which would eventually become the Disney VoluntEARS. For six years, Storbeck was a board member for Make-A-Wish Orange County and the Inland Empire, and served as chairman his final two years. He also helped spearhead the chapter’s “Walk for Wishes” and encouraged cast member participation in the Walk which raised more than $215,000 in 2013. In addition, he participates in multiple other philanthropic endeavors, including Disney-sponsored KaBOOM! playground builds, the annual CHOC/Disneyland Resort Walk in the Park, and supporting the Resort’s Toys for Tots toy drive.
The 2013 VoluntEAR Team of the Year title was presented to the Disney VoluntEARS Leadership Council, composed of 45 cast members from various lines of business who meet monthly to review, coordinate, and lead about 160 Disney VoluntEARS projects each year. They also bring awareness of the Disney VoluntEARS program to their respective divisions and business units.
The recipients were presented with an award and a $2,500 charitable contribution from The Walt Disney Company toward a nonprofit organization of their choice. Colglazier presented the awards, along with Mickey Mouse and Disney Ambassadors Sachiko White and Megan Navarette. Also in attendance were 10 local nonprofit organizations, each hosting a service project and providing information for Disney VoluntEARS to get more involved.
The Disney VoluntEARS program began at the Disneyland Resort in 1983. Today, there are Disney VoluntEARS around the world making a difference in more than 40 countries. Over the past 30 years, they have contributed more than 7.5 million hours of community service.
ABOUT THE DISNEYLAND RESORT
Located on approximately 500 acres in Anaheim, Calif., the Disneyland Resort features two spectacular theme parks – Disneyland (the original Disney theme park) and Disney California Adventure park – plus the Downtown Disney District comprised of unique dining, entertainment and shopping experiences. The Resort’s three hotels are the 948-room Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, the 969-room Disneyland Hotel and the 481-room Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel. With 25,000 cast members, the Disneyland Resort is Orange County’s largest employer and generates $4.7 billion for the Southern California economy. The Resort has welcomed more than 650 million guests since opening on July 17, 1955. For detailed information about the Disneyland Resort, please visit www.disneyland.com.
The post Disneyland Resort Names 2013 VoluntEARS of the Year appeared first on DAPs Magic Disney News.
