Disney SALUTE Brings Holiday Cheer to the Orlando Fisher House

Cappy Surette

by , Manager, Communications at Disney Experiences and co-chair of the Veteran Employee Resource Group known as “Disney SALUTE”

This month we are celebrating Veterans and Military Families Month around Disney Parks, and this week, members of SALUTE, our veteran diversity group for those who have served in the armed forces and their families and friends, went out to volunteer and spread some holiday cheer to the Orlando Fisher House located next to the Orlando VA Medical Center in Lake Nona, Florida. Service to the community is one of the pillars of our SALUTE team and we were honored to spend a few hours out in our community decorating and getting the Fisher House ready for the Holidays.

Disney VoluntEARS
Florida site Disney SALUTE Team and Disney VoluntEARS at the Orlando Fisher House

Our Disney SALUTE VoluntEARS from Walt Disney World Resort and Disney Signature Experiences, visited the Orlando Fisher House and got everyone in the spirit for the holidays using Walt Disney World decorations we donated in 2019. It was an honor for us to bring some holiday magic again this year to this special comfort home where military & veteran families can stay free of charge, while a loved one is in the nearby VA hospital.

The Orlando Fisher House is one of 92+ comfort homes across the United States built by the Fisher House Foundation. Military and veterans’ families can stay at no cost while a loved one is receiving medical treatment. The Orlando Fisher House is a 16-suite comfort home located at the Orlando VA Medical Center at Lake Nona.

The team decorated several common area spaces with trees in the dining room, the family room and the upstairs landing, and made sure the outside of the house was ready to welcome the holidays with beautiful lights, wreaths and garlands.

Disney VoluntEARS
Disney VoluntEARS SALUTE with tree
Disney VoluntEARS hanging garland

“We’re thrilled with how Disney made magic happen for us in decorating the Fisher House for the holidays,” said George Denby, the Orlando Fisher House Manager. “Our guests are just amazed with how wonderful it looks and contributions like this go a long way in helping them take their minds off of the struggles they are going through with their loved ones for a little bit while admiring all the decorations.”

Disney VoluntEARS in lobby

The Walt Disney Company has a longstanding tradition of support for the U.S. Armed Forces, and diversity groups like SALUTE keep that tradition going by stepping out into the community and giving back, especially during the holidays.