Disney cast members are well-known for providing legendary guest service, which is admirable, but I find their compassionate spirit to be equally impressive. Outside of work, many of my fellow colleagues are making a difference in their communities through the Disney VoluntEARS program.

From coaching Little League to caring for rescued animals, Disney VoluntEARS gave more than 228,000 hours of their time and talents last year for the benefit of everyone in Central Florida.

This month, in recognition of these efforts, The Walt Disney Company is giving a total of $686,950 to the charities and causes that Walt Disney World cast members care about most.

Approximately 887 Walt Disney World VoluntEARS are being honored with EARS to You grants, which are financial contributions of up to $1,000 for the charity of their choice. Disney dollars will go toward 394 local nonprofits representing a wide array of worthy causes. Top recipients include local chapters of the American Cancer Society, Give Kids the World and the SPCA of Central Florida.

In keeping with this idea of gifts that keep on giving, Walt Disney World had some special surprises in store yesterday as it recognized its top VoluntEARS with coveted awards and charitable contributions.

High honors were given to Judy Hughes as 2010 VoluntEAR of the Year and Disney’s Theme Park Merchandise Team as the 2010 VoluntEAR Team of the Year. Both received $2,500 cash donations which they chose to give to the Girls Scouts of Citrus Council and the Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida. Check out the video below to see the highlights.

Congratulations Disney VoluntEARS – you rock! Cheers to you who earned EARS to You!

Tagged: Video, VoluntEARS, WDW

Filed: Walt Disney World Resort

Last weekend, I had the privilege of joining nearly 100 Disney VoluntEARS and hundreds of our Orlando, Fla., neighbors to help green up and clean up one of the city’s neighborhoods.

As an early celebration of Earth Day, VoluntEARS planted oak, magnolia and crape-myrtle trees along the neighborhood’s streets and removed debris including a bicycle, automobile tires and a few signs from a beautiful local waterway, Lake Fran. The goal was not only to have an immediate impact on the neighborhood but also to contribute to the long-term preservation of habitat and wildlife. As a company with an enduring commitment to environmental conservation, we’re passionate about inspiring our cast members, guests and neighbors to protect nature.

This is the first year that Disney VoluntEARS collaborated with both Green-Up Orlando and Keep Orlando Beautiful as part of their Earth Day activities. I’m proud to share a brief video of the event. You can get involved in conservation at www.disney.com/environment.

See more ways Disney VoluntEARS have given back to the community:

• Disney VoluntEARS Build Dream Playground in Less Than a Day
• Tamalada Event with Disney VoluntEARS
• Nearly 500 VoluntEARS Make a Wave – and Do the Wave! – During Ocean Cleanup

Tagged: Conservation, Video, VoluntEARS, WDW

Filed: Community Outreach, Walt Disney World Resort

With an eagerness to make a difference and some elbow grease, more than 200 volunteers from Walt Disney World Resort and the community lent some magic to a KaBOOM! playground build yesterday at the Orlando Day Nursery.

It took less than six hours for the group to construct a safe new play space and vegetable garden to serve more than 300 local children. The children themselves had a hand in the playground’s design, which was based on their drawings.

Building a dream playground in less than a day is quick by any standard…and even quicker when captured on time-lapse video.

VoluntEARS moved more than 42,120 square feet of safety surfacing – enough to cover nearly 10 NBA-sized basketball courts – and mixed nearly 10,000 pounds of concrete by hand. It was a treat to watch it all come together. Very impressive and sure to be impactful for years to come.

The playground build is a prelude to the first-ever Disney Magic of Healthy Living – The Weekend, which takes place at Walt Disney World Resort. This weekend, Disney will celebrate fifty kids from around the nation for their winning essays on living a healthier life. As part of the event, they will be invited to explore a new world full of flavor and fun. Activities include a one-of-a-kind “TRYathlon,” a course ‘around the world’ where kids try new foods and new moves that lead to a healthy lifestyle.

Tagged: Video, VoluntEARS, WDW

Filed: Community Outreach, Walt Disney World Resort

Regardless of one’s role at the Disneyland Resort, any cast member can take to the stage. I’m not a stage performer, but I’ve performed at the Hyperion Theatre in Disney California Adventure park twice in my eight years here. The opportunity came through Flashback, an annual Broadway-style musical put on by more than 250 Disneyland Resort cast members who divide into teams to compete in four mini musicals.

This feel-good production takes place in front of an audience of friends, family and co-workers after the park closes to guests.

Collectively, more than 30,000 VoluntEAR hours go into preparation for the show while ticket sales help to raise funds for charity. This year, $10,000 was donated to Anaheim Ballet. Through that organization’s Step Up program, scholarships are granted to children in need who have a passion for the arts.

From beginning to end, participating in the event is a lot of fun. The video below gives a glimpse into the hard work and talent that goes into making Flashback.

Tagged: DCA, DLR, Video, VoluntEARS

Filed: Disney California Adventure Park, Disneyland Resort

The Disneyland Resort and its cast members give back in many ways all through the year, but during the holidays we take it up a notch. This season alone, we touched approximately 25,000 lives throughout our community. As you’ll see, we used a bit of poetic license to share what we’ve been up to. Enjoy!

T’were the months before Christmas and all through our house,
Disneyland spread goodwill, compliments of the Mouse.

Packages were delivered to troops with care,
bringing joy like St. Nicholas truly was there.

At CHOC patients were nestled all snug in their beds,
Disney’s holiday party danced in their heads.

Five grand each to 10 students caused quite a clatter,
college-bound seniors whose good deeds really matter.

VoluntEARS packed a half million meals for those in need,
National Family Volunteer Day was a success indeed.

Cheering ill kids and seniors, Disney characters they came,
and fans whistled and shouted and called them by name.

Now Mickey! Now Minnie! Now Donald and Goofy!
On Pluto! On Tigger! On Woody and Dopey!

With food drop locations, cast donations came quick,
the 2,200 pounds brought a smile to St. Nick.

Toys-for-Tots garnered almost 9,000 toys,
bringing happiness to countless girls and boys.

Supporting the needy through toy and food drives,
all said and done touched 25,000 lives.

The CHOC Walk at Disney raised $2 million this year,
cause for Orange County families served there to cheer.

Cast volunteered at over 100 events,
about 50,000 hours is the time that they lent.

Nearly $12 million, Disney supported the community,
providing residents with hope and opportunity.

As we celebrate 2010, one thing is clear,
the joy and the magic we delivered all year.

And we heard Mickey say, before he drove out of sight
“Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night.”

Tagged: DLR, Holidays, VoluntEARS

Filed: Community Outreach, Disneyland Resort

We all have traditions around the holidays and one of my family’s favorite traditions is making delicious tamales!

Last Friday, members of the Disneyland Resort’s various diversity resource groups put the holiday tradition of tamale-making to good use. Through our support of Latino Health Access (LHA) at their annual Tamalada, Disney VoluntEARS made, sold and served healthy tamales to help raise funds for the organization’s diabetes management program and related life-saving surgeries. In addition, the Disneyland Resort donated $5,000 to LHA to support their efforts toward improving the quality of life of children and families in our community through preventative services, educational programs and much more. To find out how you can get involved visit www.latinohealthaccess.org.

Check back tomorrow because Heather will be sharing video that shows how you can make holiday tamales at home.

Tagged: DLR, Holidays, VoluntEARS

Filed: Community Outreach, Disneyland Resort

Like many of you, Disney chefs are in full-on prep mode for Thanksgiving. Chef Leonard Thomson, Chef de Cuisine with Epcot Catering, is already at work in his kitchen to make sure this Thanksgiving is a memorable one for approximately 700 people who will spend it at Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida.

Disney VoluntEARS prepare and serve nearly 750 meals a month at the Coalition and enjoy making the holiday servings extra special.

Today, Chef Thomson and team begin pulling together a culinary cornucopia that includes roasted turkey with gravy, cornbread stuffing, cranberry sauce, braised beef tips, four-cheese baked pasta, steamed vegetables, mashed potatoes, salad greens, rolls and desserts such as pumpkin cheesecake. Two days worth of care and effort will go into the Thanksgiving feast before it is ready to serve on Thursday evening.

Donations of Disney-chef prepared meals is just one of many ways that Walt Disney World Resort supports the Coalition, which provides food and shelter to nearly 650 people a night. Many of them are families with children.

As I think about what I’m grateful for this Thanksgiving, the day-to-day work of the Coalition comes to mind. They are much more than a shelter; they help homeless individuals and families get back on track to self-sufficiency. Every day the Coalition makes lives more magical by giving a helping hand to those in need. It warms my heart to see Disney support this very worthy cause.

Tagged: Epcot, Holidays, VoluntEARS, WDW

Filed: Community Outreach, Walt Disney World Resort