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Boys & Girls Clubs of America Receives $3 Million From The Walt Disney Company

Disney named Inaugural Presenting Sponsor of Centennial Celebration; Provides Support to Southern California & Central Florida Clubs in honor of Disneyland® Resort’s 50th Anniversary

ATLANTA (May 05, 2005) – With a $1 million donation to Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA), Disney has been named the inaugural presenting sponsor of BGCA’s Centennial Celebration in 2006, it was announced by the organization’s President, Roxanne Spillett, at BGCA’s national conference. The $1 million donation brings Disney’s total support of Boys & Girls Clubs to $3 million this year.

Two other $1 million donations, each made in honor of the Disneyland® Resort’s 50th Anniversary, will benefit local Clubs in Anaheim, Calif., the home of Disneyland, and Central Florida, home of the Walt Disney World® Resort. Walt Disney World Resort today presented a $1 million gift to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Florida. The funds will be used to rebuild the Pine Hills Boys & Girls Club.

“It is fitting that, as we celebrate the 50th anniversary of Disneyland, a place that makes children’s dreams come true, we are celebrating a more than 50-year association with Boys & Girls Clubs of America, which has also helped millions of children strive for their dreams,” said Michael Eisner, chief executive officer, The Walt Disney Company. “These donations are one way for us to reach out to the children of America and help them directly in their communities.”

Added Disney President and Chief Operating Officer Bob Iger: “We are honored to be the inaugural presenting sponsor of Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s 2006 Centennial Celebration. Disney and Boys & Girls Clubs of America are dedicated to brightening the lives of children. We salute their bold commitment to ensure that children across America are offered a safe, fun haven in their neighborhoods.”

In April, Disneyland also made a pledge to strengthen its local community by donating $1 million to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Anaheim. The single largest amount of money donated to the Anaheim organization in its 16-year history, the contribution was a way for Disneyland to give back to the children of Anaheim during its 50th anniversary celebration.

“These generous gifts from Disney are significant because of their positive impact at both the local and national level,” said BGCA President Roxanne Spillett. “It is only fitting that we share our Centennial with Disney since the company is embarking on a celebration of 50 years of wishes."

Boys & Girls Clubs, “the positive place for kids,” strive to let every child know that someone cares. Club programs enhance the development of boys and girls by instilling a sense of competence, usefulness, belonging and influence while providing a safe place for children to learn, grow and have fun.

About Boys & Girls Clubs

Boys & Girls Clubs of America comprises a national network of some 3,700 neighborhood-based facilities annually serving more than 4.4 million young people, primarily from disadvantaged circumstances. Known as “The Positive Place for Kids,” Clubs provide guidance-oriented programs on a daily basis for children 6 - 18 years old, conducted by a full-time professional staff. Key programs emphasize character and leadership development, educational enhancement, career preparation, health and life skills, the arts, and sports, fitness and recreation. National headquarters are located in Atlanta.

About DisneyHand

DisneyHand, worldwide outreach for The Walt Disney Company, is dedicated to making the dreams of families and children a reality through public service initiatives, community outreach and volunteerism in the areas of compassion, learning, the arts and the environment. In 2004, DisneyHand contributed more than $165 million in cash, in-kind support and public service airtime globally, while Disney VoluntEARS contributed more than 461,000 hours to 1,852 outreach projects. For more information, please visit www.disneyhand.com.