Disney Cast Members Deliver “Monstrous” Back to School Supplies for Central Florida Students
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla., Aug. 8, 2013 – Walt Disney World Cast Members are sharing their “monstrous” spirit by donating millions of school supplies for Central Florida students heading back to school.
Encouraged by Mike and Sulley from the Disney-Pixar animated movie “Monsters University,” along with three Shining Stars from Disney Dreamers and Doers program, Cast Members showed their support for education in Central Florida by donating nearly 80,000 pens, approximately 100,000 pencils, more than one million sheets of paper and other items that will help kids get needed supplies so they can focus on learning.
Since 2003, donation of school supplies has been part of Disney’s tradition of supporting school children from early learning through college.
“For the past ten years, our generous Cast Members have come together donating millions of school supplies so our children can have the tools to succeed in the classroom,” said Nancy Gidusko, director of community relations for Walt Disney World Resort. “When we invest in our children’s education we invest in the future of our community and Central Florida.”
As part of this year’s “Monstrous Back-to-School Supply” drive, Disney VoluntEARS are also giving more than 2,000 hours of service to sort and pack the school supplies that will be distributed to students in Orange, Osceola, Seminole, Lake and Polk counties in coordination with the superintendents’ offices in all five school districts. For the past few years, Cast Members have consistently donated more than 2 million school supplies to dozens of schools and learning centers in the region.
Disney also supports education through several other efforts including annual grants to local school districts and non-profits that focus on education; individual recognition of students through the Disney Dreamers and Doers program and volunteerism in classrooms around Central Florida. Last year alone, VoluntEARS gave more than 18,000 hours of service to schools in Central Florida.
To watch the video from the event, click here.