Disneyland Resort Cast Members Help More Than 10,000 Local Individuals Through Holiday Giving Efforts

Cast Members join together to give time, resources to local community organizations

ANAHEIM, Calif. – December 22, 2008 – During this season of giving, more than 10,000 individuals will benefit from the contributions of food, toys, clothing and care packages that the Disneyland Resort and its Cast Members have donated to numerous nonprofit organizations throughout Orange County.

“The Disneyland Resort is focused on giving back to the community throughout the year. The holiday season makes it a particularly special time to extend our resources to those in need. Thanks to the generosity of our Cast Members, the Disneyland Resort is helping to fulfill numerous wishes in our community and for the brave men and women serving our country overseas,” said Ed Grier, president of Disneyland Resort.

DONATING TOYS AND HOSTING HOLIDAY PARTIES

Throughout the months of November and December, Disneyland Resort Cast Members have come together to give back to the community. As part of an annual tradition, Cast Members donated nearly 10,000 toys for the Toys for Tots Foundation. Most of the toys collected were brought to the annual Disney Family Holiday Party, a celebration hosted by the Resort exclusively for Cast Members and their families at Disneyland park.

“The Disneyland Resort and its Cast have been wonderful partners in collecting toys for children in Orange County,” said Maria Sabol, public information officer for the Anaheim Fire Department. “Last year, through the combined efforts of all Orange County fire agencies, the U.S. Marines and Disneyland, we met our goal of distributing approximately 300,000 toys to local families and we are certain that this year will be no different.

“Disney’s annual commitment to this toy drive is a testimony to their focus on helping the community and children in need,” added Sabol.

In addition to Toys for Tots, Disney VoluntEARS donated their time and resources to help organize and host holiday parties at Children’s Hospital of Orange County and the Blind Children’s Learning Center. Children and their families were greeted by VoluntEARS who served food, cleaned up and brought special gifts.

SUPPORTING OUR MILITARY

The holiday spirit extended itself across the miles as Cast Members assembled 2,500 care packages to send to military personnel overseas. The packages were shipped in November and included everything from beef jerky to books and disposable cameras. However, the most special component of the packages were the handwritten postcards that accompanied them. The cards were part of Operation Uplift, a program that began at Disneyland in 1995 and encourages Cast Members to send messages of thanks and support to our troops. The cards are designed by children related to Cast Members and typically feature Disney characters. The program has spread to Disney sites throughout the country and more than 100,000 postcards have been sent to troops around the world.

ADOPTING LOCAL FAMILIES

This year, the Disneyland Resort’s Adopt-A-Family program helped to provide day-to-day necessities to nearly 700 individuals. From children to senior citizens, Cast Members adopted individuals and families and fulfilled their wish lists for items including pillows, toiletries, clothing and toys. A team of Disney VoluntEARS also adopted Walnut Manor Senior Center and hosted its holiday party, bringing gifts and providing the highlight of the party – an appearance by Mickey Mouse.

SUPPORTING THE LOCAL FOOD BANK

For Thanksgiving, Disney VoluntEARS also participated in two annual events benefiting the Orange County Food Bank. Cast Members joined more than 850 other volunteers from local Orange County businesses and organizations to package 17,881 food boxes for seniors in need. In addition, the Resort hosted its annual food drive, in which more than 3,500 lbs. of canned goods and nonperishable food items were collected.

COMMITTED TO THE COMMUNITY

The Disneyland Resort has a long history of giving back to the community, a legacy established by Walt Disney. The Resort focuses on three primary areas: children and their families, arts education and volunteerism. In 2007 alone, community outreach efforts including cash, VoluntEAR hours and in-kind donations totaled more than $12 million.

ABOUT THE DISNEYLAND RESORT

Located on approximately 500 acres in Anaheim, Calif., the Disneyland Resort includes Disneyland® and Disney’s California Adventure™ theme parks, three hotels with a total of 2,224 rooms and the 310,000 square foot Downtown Disney® retail, restaurant and entertainment district. With 20,000 employees, the Disneyland Resort is Orange County’s largest employer and a $3.6 billion annual contributor to the local economy. The Resort has welcomed more than 500 million Guests since opening on July 17, 1955. For detailed information about the Disneyland Resort, please visit www.disneyland.com/publicaffairs.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Orange County will host a “Big Night at Oakley”, an evening for Big Brothers and Big Sisters and those considering becoming “Bigs”, on Thursday, January 22, 2009, 6-8:30 pm at the Oakley headquarters, 1 Icon, Lake Forest, CA, 92610. The evening will feature a talk by an Oakley athlete, tours of the Oakley factory, food, drinks and prizes. Big Brothers and Big Sisters will be on hand to answer questions about mentoring. RSVP to Ashley Sattar, asattar@bigbrooc.org or call (714) 544-7773, ext. 230.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Orange County Tops 1,000 Active Matches

TUSTIN, CALIF., December 19, 2008 – Big Brothers Big Sisters of Orange County’s CEO Gus Valdespino is pleased to announce that for the first time in its 50-year history, the agency has more than 1,000 active matches in the Orange County community. A match is a pairing between a mentor, or Big Brother or Big Sister, and a child in need. In 2006, when Valdespino joined the organization, there were fewer than 600 active matches. He and the agency’s Board of Directors had set a goal of reaching 1,000 matches by the end of 2008. As of the year’s end, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Orange County has 1,040 matches.
“This is a milestone in our organization’s history,” noted Valdespino. “It reflects the dedication and commitment of our volunteers, the hard work of our staff and the generous support of the community to helping children in need.”
Nationwide, there are 250,000 “Big Brothers” and “Big Sisters” throughout the country mentoring young people through caring, one-to-one relationships. National statistics demonstrate the benefits these young people, once matched, will enjoy. Those matched with such a mentor are:
• 46% less likely to begin using illegal drugs
• 98% less likely to be teen mothers
• 27% less likely to begin using alcohol
• 52% less likely to skip school
Little Brothers and Little Sisters are also less likely to have violent behavior, are more confident in their schoolwork and have more harmonious relationships with family members.
For information about becoming a “Big” or enrolling your child as a “Little,” please visit www.bigbrooc.org or call (714) 544-7773.

Mentors Needed – A Big Brother or Big Sister acts as a friend and mentor in the life of a child in need, or Little Brother or Little Sister, ages 6-16. Orange County has a great need for mentors, especially men. There are 110,000 single parent households in Orange County, a quarter of which are living in poverty. There are over 250 children waiting to be matched to a Big Brother or Big Sister. Additional Littles are encouraged to inquire as well. For information, visit www.bigbrooc.org or call (714) 544-7773. Office address: 14131 Yorba Street, Suite 200, Tustin, CA 92780.
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