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Disneyland Resort Helps Local Community Shine During Diamond Anniversary

More than $4.4 million in additional donations benefit local nonprofits and residents to support children and families

Disneyland Resort Helps Local Community Shine During Diamond Anniversary

More than $4.4 million in additional donations benefit local nonprofits and residents to support children and families

Published 09-05-16

Submitted by The Walt Disney Company

The Disneyland Resort has been proud to call the city of Anaheim home for more than 60 years. To celebrate our 60th Diamond Anniversary, and thank residents in Anaheim and across Southern California, Disneyland Resort created several new programs designed to positively impact children and families today and for many years to come. As part of this celebration, Disneyland Resort contributed more than $4.4 million to local nonprofits in Anaheim and throughout the region, which is in addition to our annual giving of $19 million in 2015.

Million Dollar Dazzle
After traveling to 12 cities, the Million Dollar Dazzle Crew awarded 17 local nonprofits with $60,000 each for a total of more than $1 million. Nonprofits included: Girl Scouts of Orange CountyCommunity Action Partnership of Orange CountyLiteracy Project FoundationProject Hope AllianceHabitat for Humanity of Orange CountyFamily Support NetworkProvidence Speech and Hearing CenterACT AnaheimKristie’s FoundationSegerstrom Center for the ArtsPacific Marine Mammal CenterChildren’s FundOrangewood FoundationAquarium of the Pacific,Taller San Jose Hope BuildersRAD Camp and Project Access.

Just a few results from these donations include one Habitat for Humanity home built for a veteran, four Disney Musicals in Schools funded, 20 sea lions rehabilitated and released, 26 laptops for disadvantages students, 100 families supported with events for critically ill children, 108 scholarships for foster youth toward a college education, and participation of 486 at-risk children in literacy programs.

Disneyland® Resort Dreamers & Doers
Sixty Orange County high school students were honored as “Shining Stars” as part of the inaugural Dreamers & Doers program in recognition of their contributions to their communities. Whether it’s tutoring children at a local school, participating in a neighborhood trash cleanup, fundraising for a cure, or starting a school club, Disneyland Resort Dreamers & Doers recognizes Orange County high school students who dream of making the world around them a better place. Each student honored received $1,000 for their high school and six of the top “Luminaries” received $3,000 to donate to a nonprofit in their name. Applications for the 2016/2017 school year open September 12.

#ShareYourEars
To honor the 100,000th Disney wish granted globally, Disney Parks and Make-A-Wish launched the #ShareYourEars campaign, inviting fans to share images of themselves wearing Mickey Mouse ears. Disneyland Resort celebrated the success of the global campaign and announced that Disney Parks would double its original donation from $1 million to $2 million in recognition of the overwhelming support from fans around the globe.

Happiest Class on Earth: Anaheim 6th Graders Making a Difference
Disneyland Resort launched the “Happiest Class on Earth” program. For the next 10 years, every sixth-grade student in Anaheim elementary schools – nearly 6,000 students each year – will have the opportunity to receive a Disneyland Resort ticket and visit the Resort with their class after completing a service project to benefit their home, school or community. Each school will be given a suggested list of actions that students can take individually or as a class, but schools are welcome to determine their own good works to address their needs. Disneyland Resort also will provide schools with post-field trip activities to use in the classroom to make the visit educational.

Celebrate Summer in Anaheim
The “Celebrates Summer Squad” took to the streets of Anaheim to celebrate with residents. All summer long, Anaheim residents enjoyed eight free Disney movie nights in local parks, surprise appearances with giveaways at community events and Disney Ambassadors reading to children at Anaheim libraries.

The summer culminates with five Endless Summer celebrations in parks throughout Anaheim. Featuring live Disney entertainment, games, face painting, family activities and much more, there is still time to experience the fun at Pearson Park (Sept. 10), Stoddard Park (Sept. 17), Twila Reid Park (Sept. 24) and John Marshall Park (Oct. 1).  

As part of the celebration through Oct. 1, residents also have the opportunity to vote for Anaheim’s next KaBOOM! playground, adding to the seven KaBOOM! playgrounds built by Disney in Anaheim.

In addition, two new skate parks, a pickle ball court and the refurbishment of a field for softball and soccer also were made possible in Anaheim with a $500,000 donation from Disneyland Resort.

Nonprofit mentorships and scholarship
The Disneyland Resort donated $60,000 to nonprofits serving diverse students. The donations will be used to fund scholarships and provide one-on-one mentorship opportunities with community leaders to encourage students’ future growth. Nonprofit beneficiaries included: Ocapica (Orange County Asian and Pacific Islander Community Alliance)Hispanic 100 FoundationAmerican Indian Chamber of Commerce of CaliforniaCASA of Orange County - Court Appointed Special AdvocatesSanta Ana CollegeAnaheim Union High School District and 100 Black Men of Orange County.

About the Disneyland Resort
Located on approximately 500 acres in Anaheim, Calif., the Disneyland Resort features two spectacular theme parks – Disneyland (the original Disney theme park) and Disney California Adventure park – plus the Downtown Disney District comprised of unique dining, entertainment and shopping experiences. The Resort’s three hotels are the 948-room Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, the 973-room Disneyland Hotel and the 481-room Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel. With 29,000 cast members, the Disneyland Resort is Orange County’s largest employer and generates $5.7 billion for the Southern California economy. The Resort has welcomed more than 750 million guests since opening on July 17, 1955. 

Media Contact:
Melissa Britt
Disneyland Resort Media Relations
Melissa.b.britt@disney.com
(714) 781-6326
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The Walt Disney Company

The Walt Disney Company

The Walt Disney Company, together with its subsidiaries and affiliates, is a leading diversified international entertainment and media enterprise with five business segments: media networks, parks and resorts, studio entertainment, consumer products and interactive media. Being a good corporate citizen is a time-honored Disney tradition. Through contributions, collaborations with local organizations, in-kind gifts and volunteering, Disney helps to brighten the lives of kids and families in need and strengthen communities around the world. In 2013, the Company donated more than $370 million in cash, in-kind support and products, and Disney VoluntEARS gave over 667,000 hours of service. For more information visit, thewaltdisneycompany.com/citizenship.

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