Credit: DisneyFor over 70 years, The Walt Disney Company has supported the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Foundation as a way to reach out to children and families in need.
This year, Cast Members from the Walt Disney World Resort came together to collect almost 30,000 toys to donate to Toys for Tots this holiday season. And they did so in the span of just three weeks!
Cast Members join Marines sorting the Toys for Tots donations
Volunteer Cast Members and Marines gathered together to sort the gifts in a volunteer day event. Newly appointed Walt Disney World President, Josh D’Amaro was there to share all about the work being done by this amazing organization and generous volunteers that were present.
D’Amaro said: “Every year, around the holiday time, The Walt Disney World Cast Members get to participate in the Toys for Tots program. Our Cast Members get to donate gifts, in fact, this year 30,000 gifts came from Walt Disney World. Over a period of time, that’s over 500,000 toys we have donated.”
There are 77,000 Cast Members employed by the Walt Disney World Resort in Central Florida. D’Amaro recognized their generosity, not only for this event but in all the other ways they give back to the community.
“The 77,000 Cast Members have a lot of passion in their heart. They care about this community. When you see these volunteer shirts, coming out of the berm, and helping society, helping people in need, it’s a very special thing… that’s something we’re super proud of!”
Sergeant Zachary Evans, who serves as a part of the US Marine Corps Reserve, noted how the support they see in Central Florida, and specifically from Disney, is incomparable.
“The Volunteers from Disney help out greatly, with Toys for Tots here in Orlando. Most other Toys for Tots programs around the country don’t get the kind of support we get from Disney.” Evans shared.
Toys for Tots Needs
Sgt. Evans, identified age groups 0-3 years old and 10-15 years old as the most high-demand for toy needs. The below items are what’s most needed in each age category:
- Infants: Learning toys, plush toys, push/walk toys
- Toddlers: Interactive and learning toys, plush toys, books
- Ages 4–7: Toy cars, dolls, books
- Ages 8–12: Board games, arts & crafts
- Ages 13–15: Teen-style watches and jewelry, sports equipment, bath and perfume sets, board games, small electronics
Celebrities join forces with Toys for Tots
And it’s not just Walt Disney World Cast Members giving of their time! Mandy Moore, known among Disney fans as Punzie, or Rapunzel from Disney’s Tangled, joined forces with Toys for Tots helping out and giving of her time for this great cause.
Radio Disney also joined the fun! They tweeted a picture of High School Musical: The Musical: The Series alum, Dara Renee and another one with Dua Lipa donating some goodies.
.@DUALIPA is helping us spread the joy this holiday season!
You can join the #WorldsUltimateToyDrive by donating a new, unwrapped toy to Toys for Tots online at https://t.co/60sXxqEROG or at a U.S. Disney Store! https://t.co/q3Day8NS5u pic.twitter.com/KhYtxotcmu
— RADIO DISNEY (@radiodisney) December 11, 2019
#HSMTMTS star @dara_renee joins us in donating to Toys for Tots this holiday season!
Take part in the #WorldsUltimateToyDrive by donating a new, unwrapped toy online at https://t.co/60sXxqEROG or at a U.S. Disney store! https://t.co/q3Day8NS5u pic.twitter.com/NmhyRv8But
— RADIO DISNEY (@radiodisney) December 9, 2019
Get Involved
If you want to learn more and participate in the World’s Ultimate Toy Drive, visit this link so you can learn more. You can also contribute by making an online donation.
There is still time! Now through December 15, 2019, for every new, unwrapped toy donated at a Disney store in the U.S. or online through shopDisney.com, Disney will donate $1 to Toys for Tots. If you’re in the Central Florida area, visit https://orlando-fl.toysfortots.org for more information.
Source: Disney