Sharing the magic in our communities is part of our legacy and culture, and this month Disney VoluntEARS are celebrating 30 years of serving kids and families.
The Disney VoluntEARS program dates back to the Disneyland Resort where, in 1983, a group of cast members formed a team focused on community service. Today, cast members around the world donate their time and expertise to make the world a happier place. Special activities will take place around the world and throughout the month, but here’s a look at some of this week’s festivities honoring this milestone anniversary.
- At the Disneyland Resort, thousands of cast members participated in the VoluntEARS’ anniversary kick-off celebration that showcased 10 local non-profit organizations to highlight some of the ways that VoluntEARS are benefitting the community. There were even opportunities for cast members to lend a hand – from helping the Orange County Food Bank prepare bags of fresh produce for local families to making blankets for women receiving assistance from MOMS Orange County.
- And at Walt Disney World Resort a group of cast members gathered for a pep rally to honor the VoluntEAR of the Year and VoluntEAR Team of the Year, and to gear up for a month’s worth of VoluntEAR opportunities, happening each day in May. Here, cast members and Walt Disney World leaders share the excitement of what it means to be a VoluntEAR, and how important (and fun) it is to give back.
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Once again, Disney TRULY brings out the best in Folks!
I was a cast member at Disneyland from the fall of 1983 to summer 1985. The original name of VoluntEARS was the Community Action Team (I still have my t-shirt). My now husband and I spent a day helping out at a Special Olympics bowling event. In our group was a severely autistic young woman. She didn’t get up when it was her turn or know how to hold the ball. We dealt with her on her terms; accepting who she was without judgement and interacting on her terms. By the end of day she was up at her turn, got her ball, stepped up to the line and rolled her ball down the lane. Sure, her motions were tentative, but she was doing it on her own. Her family was in tears because they’d been told she’d never be able to participate in such a meaningful way. I’ve never fotgotten that day with the Community Action Team/VoluntEARS. Who cares if she didn’t talk or bowled two-handed?! That was one of the most meaningful days of my life.
Congratulations, Disney VoluntEARS! As a former Chairman of Disney VoluntEARS for the San Francisco Bay Area, I am proud of this group and the community service projects that the VoluntEARS carry out. So many wonderful projects, so many special memories! Keep up the outstanding work, Disney VoluntEARS!
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