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Chrysalis Moves to Anaheim with Support from the Disneyland Resort

Disneyland Resort has donated $600,000 to Chrysalis, a California-based nonprofit organization that has proven results in lifting individuals out of poverty by helping them find and retain steady jobs. This funding will help Chrysalis extend its services to Orange County through the opening of a new facility in Anaheim. To date, Chrysalis has helped more than 60,000 California residents overcome barriers to employment. In addition, Disneyland Resort will provide Chrysalis with Disney VoluntEARS support and industry expertise to help individuals in Anaheim fortify their skill sets, increase employability and secure pathways to new careers. Disney VoluntEARS have already launched a clothing drive to collect business casual, ready-to-wear clothing from Disneyland Resort cast members, in addition to packaging hygiene kits to help Chrysalis. On Disney's support of Chrysalis, Josh D’Amaro, president of the Disneyland resort said, “This marks our increasing commitment to the city of Anaheim and the future of its economy and workforce.” Mark Loranger, president and CEO of Chrysalis notes, “Chrysalis is honored to have received this transformative gift from Disneyland Resort. We believe that a steady job is a key step in a person’s transition out of poverty and onto a pathway to self-sufficiency.

Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge Attractions Revealed

The galaxy far, far away is getting a lot closer. At D23’s recent Destination D event in Orlando, Disney Parks, Experiences and Consumer Products Chairman Bob Chapek revealed the names of the two major attractions that will be part of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge – Millennium  Falcon: Smuggler’s Run, which puts guests at the controls of the famous ship, and Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, in which guests will become part of an epic battle between the Resistance and the First Order. Chapek also revealed that Oscar-winning composer John Williams is creating the new and original Star Wars themes exclusively for the land! For more about our largest expansion to date, check out the Disney Parks Blog.

Cast Members Transform "it's a small world" for the Holiday Season

Watch as our hard-working cast members transform “it’s a small world” into a glorious vision for the holiday season.

Disney Donates $3 Million To Make-A-Wish With #ShareYourEars

To celebrate Mickey Mouse’s birthday, Disney donated more than $3 million to Make-A-Wish through the #ShareYourEars campaign, helping make life-changing wishes come true for children with critical illnesses. #ShareYourEars celebrated 90 years of Mickey Mouse and asked those with social media accounts to take a photo showing off their Mickey Mouse ears – or any creative interpretation of ears – and upload a public photo to Facebook, Instagram or Twitter. For every public post with the hashtag #ShareYourEars from Nov. 4 through Giving Tuesday, Nov. 27, Disney donated $5 to Make-A-Wish, raising a total of more than $2 million.   Since 1980, Disney has helped Make-A-Wish grant more than 130,000 wishes. “It is a tremendous honor to support children whose wish is to come to Disney. Wish granting exemplifies the magic our 160,000 cast members and Imagineers create for guests all over the world every day,” said Chairman of Disney Parks, Experiences and Consumer Products Bob Chapek, who recently joined the Make-A-Wish America board of directors. #ShareYourEars is part of the Disney Team of Heroes philanthropic initiative and outreach program to deliver comfort and inspiration to families around the world.

Disney Donates $500,000 To Support Those Impacted By California Wildfires

The Walt Disney Company has committed $500,000 to support relief and recovery efforts in response to the wildfires that continue to threaten California. The donation will provide support to firefighters on the front lines as they work to contain the fires and will assist California residents during this difficult time. Disney’s donations will go to the California Community Foundation’s Wildfire Relief Fund, which supports intermediate and long-term recovery efforts from major California wildfires as well as preparedness efforts; and to the California Fire Foundation, which provides emotional and financial assistance to firefighters, their families and the communities they protect. Contributions from Disney employees to eligible relief and recovery organization will be matched dollar-for-dollar by Disney Employee Matching Gifts: A Program of The Walt Disney Company Foundation. Disney Chairman and CEO Bob Iger stated, “The firefighters are true heroes, and we honor their tireless commitment as they continue to battle these devastating wildfires. Our hearts go out to the families and communities that have been so severely affected.”

Cast Making a Difference in Their Community

Disneyland Resort cast members love giving back to the community, through Disney VoluntEAR events, donations and personal volunteer efforts. In 1997, cast members started the Disney VoluntEARS Community Fund to create their ideal employee giving program. Cast members who donate to the fund during the year have the opportunity to nominate their favorite nonprofit to receive grants, and 100 percent of all contributions are given to those nonprofits. This year, 71 grants were awarded totaling nearly $350,000! Disneyland Resort Operations Manager Christine Georgantas and her family nominated Red Hill Elementary school and notes, " The Disney VoluntEARS Community Fund grant is a great way for me to give back to organizations that are important to me. I love that this is money donated by cast members, the organizations are nominated by cast members, and cast members judge the applications! It’s just another way that our great cast members help to make magic in the community."

In addition, cast members also are honored each year by their peers for their VoluntEAR efforts, with Disney VoluntEARS of the Year provided grants for their favorite nonprofits. Security cast member Laura Iwasaki, whose family was named VoluntEAR Family of the Year this year, selected Taller San Jose Hope Builders to receive a $2,500 grant. Laura notes, “Taking the time to help another human being is the best use of time that I can think of. As a resident of Anaheim, it’s important to give back to the community I live in.”

Anaheim Sixth Graders Rewarded with a Free Trip to Disneyland Resort with the Happiest Class on Earth Program

The Disneyland Resort Happiest Class on Earth program encourages and inspires Anaheim sixth graders to give back to the place they call home – Anaheim! Since 2016, more than 9,000 sixth graders at 48 Anaheim elementary schools have participated in programs that benefit their schools and local communities, and, in return, received Disneyland Resort theme park tickets. Last year, Anaheim students raised more than $9,500 to support various causes, collected 1,750 pounds of food items, planted more than 66 trees and recycled more than 8,000 plastic bottles, just to name a few of their outstanding efforts. Recently, sixth-grade students and teachers from Fairmont Private Schools Historic Anaheim Campus worked with Community Action Partnership of Orange County to pack a total of 1,444 food boxes at the Orange County Food Bank, which were later delivered to senior citizens and families in need in Anaheim. Sixth-grade teacher Vanessa Patterson notes, “Our school believes that character is just as important as academics. By shaping our students into caring citizens who contribute to their community and society, we believe we are helping to shape a better future.”

Happy Birthday, Mickey Mouse!

On Nov. 18, Disney Parks across the globe celebrated 90 years of Mickey Mouse, who was fashioned in the perfect celebration outfit alongside his sweetheart, Minnie Mouse! At Disneyland Resort, Mickey Mouse was celebrated alongside special friends and the Disneyland Band in a cavalcade down Main Street, U.S.A. The party will continue with the World’s Biggest Mouse Party in 2019 – a limited-time, global celebration. At Disneyland Resort, that means it’s time to “Get Your Ears On” in 2019. Chairman of Disney Parks, Experiences and Consumer Products Bob Chapek notes, “As Walt said, ‘I only hope that we never lose sight of one thing – that it was all started by a mouse.' In our parks around the world, we are honoring the deep connection that families and fans have made with Mickey and Minnie Mouse for nearly a century.”

#DreamsWithinReach Disney Aspire helps hourly cast members advance their education and pursue their goals by removing barriers to continue school for working adults.

#MickeyMouseSurprise Mickey Mouse recently surprised students at Orange Grove Elementary in Anaheim, and their reaction shows their love for him.

I was first introduced to the OC Food Bank through Disney VoluntEARS, where I have been a member of the Disney VoluntEARS Leadership Council for 12 years. I am very proud of the variety of events that are offered though Disney VoluntEARS, but especially our work at the OC Food Bank. At each event, we pack hundreds of boxes, which are distributed to low-income seniors to help provide basic food needs. In the Jewish faith, there is a guiding principle of Tikkun Olam, which means “acts of kindness to heal the world.” I was raised that I am a piece of the world’s great puzzle; when cast members and their families come together at the OC Food Bank in these acts of kindness, we contribute our “piece” to repair our world. Disney VoluntEARS partners with the OC Food Bank in food packing events four times a year. At each of the events, cast members and their families and friends are welcome.We sometimes see children as young as five years of age! I am proud that Disney is an active part of the Orange County community, and we are doing our “piece” to heal this world! Ivy Goodman Sales and Services Leader – DRTSC Disney VoluntEARS Leadership Council

December 4: Culinary and hotels job fair will be held from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. at the Disneyland Hotel December 5: 10th anniversary of the Sleeping Beauty Castle walkthrough since reopening with new special effects, show elements and hand-painted illustrated books December 8: Support Toys for Tots at Downtown Disney District by dropping off unwrapped toy donations valued at $10 or more December 8: Disney horses and friends participate in Norco’s Parade of Lights

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