Throughout the holiday season, Disney Ultimate Toy Drive worked to gather donations of new toys for kids in need. This could be done in the Disney Store online, Downtown Disney District locations, Disney Springs locations, and U.S. Disney Store physical locations. The result of this initiative this year was staggering. In fact, it was the biggest Disney Ultimate Toy Drive yet!
Over half a million toys were collected throughout this year’s Disney Ultimate Toy Drive. They were then distributed around the globe. Mickey Mouse was a part of this distribution process and visited locations to bring joy, happiness, and toys to kids throughout the world. The Marines Toys for Tots program also delivered over 400,000 toys as well. This came through the efforts of Disney VoluntEARS who volunteered over 3,000 hours this year to make this magical initiative happen.
The Disneyland Resort played a big part in this special cause. There were over 17,000 donations given during the Toys for Tots campaign at the Disneyland Resort. Throughout the weekend of December 14-15th, Marines could be seen stationed in the Downtown Disney District as they collected toys for the Toys for Tots program. They were accompanied throughout the weekend by Disney VoluntEARS. Throughout the weekend, many groups of cast members, guests, and others stopped by with toys to contribute.
The relationship between Disney and Toys for Tots dates back to the program’s origin in 1947 Walt Disney and his team of animators designed the Toys for Tots logo that continues to be used even today. This, however, wasn’t the only contribution from The Walt Disney Company to Toys for Tots through the years. It was just a starting point that has grown through the years. Disney continues to build this relationship as it engages volunteers and provides charitable support to support Toys for Tots to deliver toys to children in need Nationwide! Since 1947, Toys for Tots Marines and volunteers have distributed well over 652 million toys to over 291 million children.
Last year, Lieutenant General Laster, President & CEO of the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation shared, “It’s amazing how this relationship started with a logo and has now transformed into an annual nationwide campaign supporting children in need. Toys for Tots is grateful to have the continued support of Disney to help bring their stories to children for the holidays and deliver joy during this season of giving.”
“For over 75 years, Disney has been proud to work with Toys for Tots to help deliver joy to children in need,” Lisa Haines, senior vice president, Corporate Social Responsibility, The Walt Disney Company said at the time. “From VoluntEARS opportunities to integrations into shows across our networks, our employees and cast members in every part of the company love supporting Toys for Tots and giving back at this special time of year in ways that only Disney can.”
The Disney Ultimate Toy Drive is an annual tradition that sees the entirety of The Walt Disney Company come together in the spirit of giving during the holiday season. This is a tradition that has continued to grow over the nearly 8 decades that Disney has collaborated with the Marines’ Toys for Tots program. It is one that will hopefully continue to grow in the future!
What do you think of the Disney Ultimate Toy Drive? Did you participate in it this year? Will you be participating next year? Share your thoughts and opinions in the comments below!
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