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Disney Committed to Million Hours of
Community Service
In response to the Presidents' Summit
for America's Future, The Walt Disney Company announced
today that its employees will Commit one million hours of
volunteer service through the year 2000. These hours will
be devoted to raising awareness of environmental
concerns, supporting children's hospitals, working with
safe hours for battered women, and other activities that
support youth and the needy.
At a meeting with executives of the
Boys & Girls Clubs of America, Disney Chairman and
CEO Michael D. Eisner pledged the one million hours of
volunteer service. This will include at least 75,000
hours to be donated to the Boys and Girls Clubs of
America by employees of The Disney Store, which is
observing its tenth anniversary.
"It is our intent to touch the
young and those in need with the Disney magic and make a
positive impact on their lives and the future of
America," said Eisner. "Our one million
volunteer hours will be offered through many projects and
programs with numerous non-profit agencies as well as
local schools. Our volunteers will come from all across
America and from all areas of the company."
Routinely, thousands of Disney
employees do volunteer work with such organizations as
the American Red Cross, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, the
American Heart Association, the American Cancer Society,
groups that aid the homeless, people with disabilities,
and numerous other charitable and philanthropic groups.
In celebrating its tenth anniversary --
and as a way to say thank you to the communities that
contributed to the success of the company -- The Disney
Store will match its 425 stores and 14,500 employees with
local Boys & Girls Clubs in 200 cities in the United
States and Canada. This partnership, which kicks-off in
April, will generate thousands of community service hours
and help enrich the lives of the young people and
volunteers.
"We are delighted that The Disney
Store VoluntEARS have partnered with Boys & Girls
Clubs throughout the country," said Roxanne
Spillett, president of the national organization.
"There are limitless opportunities for caring adults
to make a difference in the lives of deserving young
people, through mentorship, tutoring, coaching and other
constructive activities. We welcome Disney's commitment
to our children and communities."
The Disney Store chapter of Disney's
volunteer program has grown rapidly. In 1996, more than
4,200 VoluntEARS participated in some 150 community
service events, including serving meals, planting trees,
refurbishing playgrounds and fundraising.
"To celebrate our tenth
anniversary, we want to give back something meaningful
for the community and for our cast members," said
Thomas A. Heymann, president of The Disney
Store-Worldwide.
Company executives were inspired by the
call to action from the Presidents' Summit for America's
Future, convened by President Clinton and former
President Bush. The Summit platform encourages America to
renew its commitment to volunteerism.
"Our partnership with Boys &
Girls Clubs of America takes our VoluntEAR program to a
new level of commitment and we see it as the beginning of
a rewarding and long term relationship," said
Heymann.
The Disney Store opened its first store
in Glendale, Calif. on March 28, 1987.
Source:
Date: |
PRNewswire
March, 1997 |
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