As we begin a new year that should be more magical than ever with the celebrations of our 30th Anniversary, we wanted to highlight the commitment and generosity of Disney VoluntEARS at Disneyland Paris.
In 2021, more than 1,000 Cast Members took part in the company’s philanthropic activities during their free time, thereby bringing magic to those who need it the most by completing over 7,000 hours of volunteer service.
Throughout the year, Disney VoluntEARS demonstrated outstanding solidarity by distributing food, Disney items, or medical supplies, by accompanying underprivileged children and their families to our parks so that they could spend magical moments, or by donating their free time to visit hospitalized children.
Since March 2020, Disneyland Paris has supported charitable organizations and healthcare facilities with nearly 20 million euros of items donated to charities and health facilities in France and Europe. Last winter – during which significant floods occurred in Seine et Marne – Disney VoluntEARS also worked hand-in-hand with local municipalities to deliver 600 gift baskets to flood victims in the towns of Esbly, Condé-Sainte-Libiaire, and to neighboring municipalities that were affected as well.
Our reopening on June 17, 2021 was an opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to non-profit organizations. Therefore, we hosted 300 underprivileged children and families over three days, so that they could discover the Park and spend a day filled with magic. Invited in collaboration with the Ile-de-France Region, they all came thanks to charities that support families with low income and medical and educational centers (K D’Urgence, IME [Special needs school] Éclair, SESSAD Passerose, Les Restos du Coeur, Le Secours Catholique, the Fondation d’Auteuil, ATD Quart Monde, SOL en Si, Emmaüs, the French Red Cross and the Ordre de Malte).
During the summer and as part of the annual campaign of Oubliés des Vacances, as organized by the Secours Populaire, 300 young people and their families who could not go on vacation were invited to enjoy a one-day getaway at Disneyland Paris. Accompanied by Disney VoluntEARS, they were able to enjoy various attractions, take a selfie with their favorite Disney Characters, and even leave with a backpack filled with school supplies.
Disney VoluntEARS also continued their efforts to share the Disney magic with hospitalized children. During the 2021 Pièces Jaunes [Small change collection] campaign, and as part of the long-standing commitment to the Fondation des Hôpitaux, they prepared and distributed nearly 1,000 gifts and greeting cards to children. Besides, on the occasion of the International Volunteer Day, they also wrapped more than 3,600 Christmas gifts for hospitalized children in France, with the assistance of their families. In Seine et Marne, Disney VoluntEARS organized a sports-filled afternoon at the special needs school ÉCLAIR.
In 2022, we are more than ever determined to continue our commitment to non-profit associations and communities, and to inspire people of all ages. So, to all our Disney VoluntEARS who showed great generosity during that unusual year, and who contributed to bringing the Disney magic to life for children and struggling families, we would like to say THANK YOU!