The Walt Disney World Resort and its cast members are working hard to make the holidays a little more magical for families in Central Florida.
The cast member VoluntEARS have collected and donated more than 36,000 new toys to the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots to benefit kids in Orange and Seminole counties.
VoluntEARS have also given more than 6,000 hours helping the Marines register families for the annual giving campaign, in addition to sorting and packing the toys.
“Through these combined efforts, we hope thousands of children in Central Florida will be surprised by at least one present during the holidays,” said Nancy Gidusko, director of community relations for Walt Disney World Resort. “We also hope that by giving their own time, Cast Members will inspire their children, family members and friends to remember kids of all ages during this season of sharing.”
The toy drive also received $200,000 from The Walt Disney Company as part of the company’s continuing support to the organization. (A bit of trivia: Walt Disney designed the original Toys for Tots logo in 1947 and it is still used today.)
George A. Kalogridis, president of the Walt Disney World Resort presented a $30,000 gift to the Community Hope Center of Osceola County at a special performance of the Candlelight Processional. The gift will help the organization provide services to its clients who are homeless or facing homelessness.
