Disney and Points of Light Celebrate 'Family Volunteer Day'

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla., Nov. 23, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Earlier today, The Walt Disney Company and Points of Light, the world's largest organization dedicated to volunteer service, hosted "Family Volunteer Day" activities at Disney Springs to celebrate the power of volunteerism. Thousands of Disney cast members and guests participated in events with local nonprofits that encouraged families to volunteer in their communities.

The Aguirre family of McAllen, Texas, was chosen as the first Disney and Points of Light "Volunteer Family of the Year" following a nationwide search conducted on ABC's "Good Morning America."

The Aguirres started their organization after daughter Emily asked how they could help the homeless in their community. What started as a small family volunteer project has now grown to a volunteer group of more than 100 people delivering 40 meals a day to people in need.

Disney Parks, Experiences and Products Chairman Bob Chapek honored the Aguirre family today during an inspiring ceremony at Disney Springs at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida.

Speaking at the event, Chapek said the power of volunteerism is the ability of one person, or one family, to make a difference in their community and help change the world.

"That's why each year, our cast members dedicate hundreds of thousands of volunteer hours and why today, at Disney sites around the world, cast and guests are participating in volunteer activities as part of Family Volunteer Day," Chapek said.

Disney and Points of Light have inspired more than 3 million hours of service through the Disney Family Volunteering Reward Program, which grants Disney theme park tickets to eligible U.S. nonprofits and schools for hosting family-friendly volunteer projects.

Since the program launched in January 2018, more than 700,000 families have volunteered and more than 8,500 nonprofits and schools have participated, including more than 1,700 that had never hosted family-friendly volunteer projects before.

To learn more about Disney Family Volunteering Reward Program, visit www.pointsoflight.org/disneyrewards.

ABOUT DISNEY SPRINGS
Disney Springs is a one-of-a-kind retail, dining and entertainment district located in the heart of the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida. With its namesake springs, beautiful open-air promenades and lakefront setting, Disney Springs evokes the charm of Florida waterfront towns at the turn of the 20th century. It's also home to a collection of more than 150 shops, entertainment venues and restaurants, including top-name retail brands, specialty boutiques and dining experiences created by celebrity and award-winning chefs. Located in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., Disney Springs is open daily.

ABOUT POINTS OF LIGHT
Points of Light – the world's largest organization dedicated to volunteer service – mobilizes millions of people to take action that is changing the world. Through affiliates in 250 cities across 37 countries and with partnerships with thousands of nonprofits and corporations, Points of Light engages 5 million volunteers in 20 million hours of service each year. They bring the power of people to bear where it's needed most. For more information, go to www.pointsoflight.org.

ABOUT DISNEY PARKS, EXPERIENCES AND PRODUCTS
Disney Parks, Experiences and Products brings the magic of The Walt Disney Company's powerful brands and franchises—including Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, ESPN, 20th Century Fox and National Geographic—into the daily lives of families and fans around the world to create magical memories that last a lifetime.

When Walt Disney opened Disneyland in Anaheim, California, on July 17, 1955, he created a unique destination built around storytelling and immersive experiences, ushering in a new era of family entertainment. More than 60 years later, Disney has grown into one of the world's leading providers of family travel and leisure experiences, with iconic businesses including six resort destinations with 12 theme parks and 52 resorts in the United States, Europe and Asia with approximately 160,000 cast members; a top-rated cruise line with four ships and plans for three more to be completed in 2021, 2022 and 2023; a luxurious family beach resort in Hawai'i; a popular vacation ownership program; and an award-winning guided family adventure business. Disney's global consumer products operations include the world's leading licensing business; one of the world's largest children's publishing brands; one of the world's largest licensors of games across platforms; more than 300 Disney store locations around the world; and the shopDisney e-commerce platform. 

These experiences are created by Disney Imagineers, the creative force behind experiences found in Disney theme parks, resort hotels, cruise ships and consumer products—including books, games and merchandise.

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SOURCE The Walt Disney Company