Disney Donates Books for Military Families

Disney has a legacy of support and admiration for military and veteran families. One of the ways we salute those who serve in uniform is our ongoing teamwork with Blue Star Families – a nonprofit for and by military families – to provide support to their Blue Star Books program that encourages reading among military children.

Disney VoluntEARS shared their love for books during a very special event for U.S. Coast Guard and U.S. Southern Command families on February 18 at U.S. Coast Guard Air Station in Opa-Locka, Fla. Disney Publishing and Disney Cruise Line collaborated with Blue Star Families to host the 20^th “Blue Star Books” event with a very special reading of Ryan Higgins’ book, “Norman Didn’t Do It” by First Lady Dr. Jill Biden as part of the White House’s Joining Forces initiative to support military and Veteran families, caregivers and survivors.

As part of the special occasion, Disney VoluntEARS helped families select books and take home a small plush. The children also had the opportunity to meet the one and only, Captain Minnie!

“Thank you to the First Lady, Blue Star Families and Disney for such a special event,” said U.S. Coast Guard Capt. Jo-Ann Burdian, Sector Miami Commander. “Magical moments such as these mean the world to those in uniform, as well as, their families who give so much in support of our country. It is a day our children will remember for a long time.”

Disney Publishing has been supporting the Blue Star Families “Blue Star Books” program since 2011, donating more than 250,000 books in continuation of Disney’s wide-ranging support for our military and their families. Disney Cruise Line has enjoyed a long-standing relationship with the U.S. Coast Guard and is very appreciative of the ongoing support it provides to our Cruise Line operation.

One Disney Publishing author was honored that the First Lady selected his book to read to the families during this event

“I am thrilled and honored that my prickly little pal, Norman, joined Dr. Jill Biden for this Blue Star Families event with Disney to support and celebrate military families,” said Ryan Higgins, author of “Norman Didn’t Do It.”