Disneyland Resort Cast Members Give $820,000 to  114 Southern California Nonprofits

ANAHEIM, Calif. – September 18, 2013 – Through the Disney VoluntEARS Community Fund (DVCF), Disneyland Resort cast members are giving 114 Southern California nonprofit organizations a total $820,000 in grants for projects ranging from the arts to search and rescue programs to confidence building for people with disabilities.

"I'm incredibly proud of our cast members for their contributions to the Disney VoluntEARS Community Fund," said Michael Colglazier, president of the Disneyland Resort.  "In addition to the pride they feel from donating their time as volunteers, cast members can also feel empowered by helping to provide significant funds to their favorite organizations." 

The DVCF is funded entirely by cast members through regular payroll deductions or one-time donations. Those who contribute during the year have the opportunity to nominate an organization for a grant of up to $5,000. This year, in honor of the 30th anniversary of Disney VoluntEARS, 10 of those organizations each received an additional $25,000, including the Esperanza Entertainment Unit at Esperanza High School in Anaheim, which will use the funds to purchase new uniforms for the marching band.

“With this grant, we can focus less on fundraising efforts and more on musical education that shape these musicians into talented members of our Anaheim community,” said Brad Davis, band director of Esperanza High School.

“I am very honored to participate in the DVCF and thrilled that the Esperanza Entertainment Unit was selected for the $30,000 grant,” said Lannie Sircable, Disneyland Resort cast member and EEU booster. “As one of the many parent volunteers who work diligently to raise funds to keep the organization going, the recognition is humbling and energizing.”

Since its beginning in 1997, cast members have contributed funds to the DVCF, raising more than $5.1 million in grants to hundreds of organizations.

Other organizations that received the special $30,000 grants include (see additional attachment for details):

• Beckstrand Cancer Association, Newport Beach
• Boys and Girls Club of Tustin, Tustin
• California Women’s Recovery/The Lynn House, Costa Mesa
• The Children’s Bureau of Southern California, Huntington Beach
• Ontario USO, Ontario
• Orange County Educational Arts Academy, Santa Ana
• Orange County High School of the Arts, Santa Ana
• Rancho Los Amigos Foundation, Downey
• San Dimas Mountain Rescue Team, San Dimas

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About Disneyland Resort
Located on approximately 500 acres in Anaheim, Calif., the Disneyland Resort features two spectacular theme parks – Disneyland (the original Disney theme park) and Disney California Adventure park – plus the Downtown Disney District comprised of unique dining, entertainment and shopping experiences. The Resort’s three hotels are the 948-room Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, the 969-room Disneyland Hotel and the 481-room Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel. With 25,000 cast members, the Disneyland Resort is Orange County’s largest employer and a $4.7 billion annual contributor to the local economy. The Resort has welcomed more than 650 million guests since opening on July 17, 1955. To learn more about our community efforts, visit www.disneyland.com/publicaffairs.