In honor of the spirit of giving this holiday season, Universal Studios Hollywood hosted its 14th annual Day of Giving event at Universal CityWalk. On November 8, Universal welcomed 300 homeless children to the theme park, providing them with an experience they will never forget.
At the 2018 Day of Giving event, 300 homeless children from Operation School Bell were welcomed to Universal Studios Hollywood and given a selection of new clothing and school supplies. After, the children were treated to a fun-filled afternoon that includes experiencing The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Minion encounters at “Despicable Me Minion Mayhem” and Super Silly Fun Land,” and a ride on the Universal Studios Hollywood Studio Tour.
As Universal Studios Hollywood states on their website, “Giving is Universal.” The company believes that active engagement with the communities in which the theme park employees live and work will foster positive change, as employees will have the opportunity to connect with local nonprofit organizations in meaningful ways.
Through “Volunteers on Location”, employees reach out to non-profit organizations by generously donating their time and resources; through the “Compassion Program”, Universal Studios Hollywood welcomes terminally-ill children on a daily basis into the Theme Park for a brief respite from their medical treatments; and through the Discover A Star Foundation, Universal Studios Hollywood is committed to making a significant impact in local undeserved communities by partnering with organizations that empower individuals and families to lead more productive and fulfilling lives.
Universal Studios Hollywood Day of Giving is a 14-year tradition that connects Universal employees with diverse Los Angeles community organizations. Many of the benefitting organizations, like Operation School bell, are beneficiaries of the Discover a Star Foundation, the Universal charity whose mission is to empower people and families to lead productive and fulfilling lives. In addition to hosting 300 schoolchildren at Universal Studios Hollywood, company employees volunteered at other locations throughout the day, including:
- Shane’s Inspiration, where employees took part in a “play date” with special needs children at a nearby Shane’s Inspiration playground.
- Project Angel Food, where employee volunteers prepared and packaged meals for terminally ill clients.
- Tree People, where employee volunteers assisted with tree care, maintaining trails, and removing invasive plants.
- Union Rescue Mission’s Hope Gardens, where volunteers transformed indoor and outdoor living spaces that will serve as educational,
- recreational and enrichment areas for children.
- MEND, where volunteers assisted with the sorting and management of donations in MEND’s Emergency Foodbank and Clothing Center.
Check out more photos from this year’s Day of Giving at Universal Studios Hollywood below.
For more information on Universal Studios Hollywood’s annual Day of Giving event, visit the Universal Studios Hollywood Community Relations website here.
