2020 has been an incredibly challenging year. As the global pandemic raged around the world the impact was felt everywhere. Through these challenges, Disney Parks has continued to help people get through this challenging situation. Disney has worked with cast and community partners to make a difference.
Throughout 2020, Disney has found ways to help. Here are a few of them:
- Disney has shared over 880 tons of food globally to support those in need. This includes:
- 145,000 pizza meals donated by Disneyland Paris
- Pineapple, sweet rolls, and other food was donated by Aulani Resort.
- Both Disneyland and Walt Disney World donated food as well.
- Disney made face coverings with characters and then donated one million of them to MedShare.
- Profits from cloth face masks raised $1 million for MedShare to support their lifesaving care.
- Disney Parks donated 250,000 rain ponchos to help healthcare workers protect their clothing and prolong PPE use during busy times, as well as N95 masks, hygiene caps, and other supplies to hospitals.
- shopDisney.com, U.S. Disney Stores, and World of Disney Stores at Disneyland and Walt Disney World Resorts collected 90,000 toys for Toys for Tots.
- Walt Disney World Resort chefs made hundreds of Thanksgiving meals in support of the Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida.
- Disney Cruise Line worked with local community partners in The Bahamas to give thousands of holiday dinners to those in need.
- Disneyland Paris prepared 50,000 Christmas ornaments for 150 French and Belgian hospitals this holiday season.
- Walt Disney Imagineering introduced Imagineering in a Box in five languages.
- Ride & Learn videos were released this year.
- Disney Paper Parks were also released this year for guests to recreate some of their favorite Disney Parks locations with paper from the comfort and safety of their own home!
- Disneyland Resort VoluntEARS offered more than 50 virtual workforce development sessions to hundreds of Anaheim students.
- Disney Cruise Line awarded four scholarships to female cadets to attend the maritime academy in Nassau.
- Scholarships were offered one for each ship in the Disney Cruise Line.
- Scholarships include two years of study at LJM Maritime Academy and one year of service aboard a Disney ship.
- This is part of a bigger collection of initiatives by Disney Cruise Line to inspire future maritime professionals and support communities in The Bahamas.
- Walt Disney World collaborated with A Gift for Teaching to donate thousands of school supplies for teachers.
- Disneyland Resort and Hong Kong Disneyland Resort each shared more than 13,000 toys and activity items with local hospitals.
- Shanghai Disney Resort opened a space-themed Disney Fun House at Shanghai Children’s Medical Center to celebrate International Children’s Day.
- Disney is working with the Boys & Girls Clubs of America to share one million books with kids across the country.
- 40th anniversary of Disney working with Make-A-Wish® was celebrated with many wishes continuing to be granted.
- Six-year old Maria enjoyed a virtual visit, all in Spanish, with Princess Belle.
- 10-year old wish kid Nathanial became the first wish kid to join the Super Bowl MVP parade down Main Street, USA in Magic Kingdom.
- Over $720,000 was raised to further wish-granting with the Wishes Come True Blue color collection, Mickey Mouse vintage holiday plush, and Disney Parks Wishables.
- Together Disney and Make-A-Wish have granted more than 140,000 wishes!
- Disney Parks, Experiences and Products donated more than $30 million in food, products, and supplies as part of Disney’s response to COVID-19.
As 2020 comes to a close, Disney anticipates a continuation of its global efforts to support communities and make the world a better place through its many charitable efforts. Did you participate in any of these efforts? Did you benefit from any of them? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below!
Happy New Year!
