Yesterday, 59 Central Florida organizations that serve the needs of children were awarded grants by Disney. The grants totalled more than $1.5 million.
Under the Disney Helping Kids Shine Grants program, the company awarded various groups ” that have a positive impact on approximately 70,000 thousand children in our community.”
Walt Disney World President George Kalogridis also awarded the Orange County Public Library System with the Bob Allen Outstanding Community Service Award. Disney awards the grant annually to a group in recognition for exemplary work to youths in the Central Florida area.  Plans …

In an effort to provide a traditional Thanksgiving meal to those less fortunate, Chef Tony Marotta and his team at The Walt Disney World Resort partnered with the Coalition for the Homeless to serve close to 600 people a feast on Thanksgiving.
The meal was prepped on Sunday, and included a bounty of traditional Thanksgiving favorites like roast turkey, sweet potatoes, stuffing, green beans, pumpkin pie and sauces, gravy and cranberry relish all made from scratch.
Said Marotta:
It is an extremely rewarding experience to be able to provide a sense of …

To celebrate Walt Disney World Resort’s 40th anniversary this year, the company has embarked on a “Shine On” campaign with 40 days of giving back across the Central Florida region. The campaign will have prize patrols that will surprise and reward school districts, nonprofit groups and organizations that work towards improving the lives of local children.
Throughout the year, Walt Disney World has contributed more than $28 million and 228,000 volunteer hours to various local community efforts, and has donated time and money to helping children and families in need. With …

Throughout the year, the Walt Disney World Resort works with local charities that focus on children throughout the Central Florida region to “build better futures for local children.”  One significant way that the company achieves its goals of giving back is through its grant program, Disney Helping Kids Shine.  Nancy Gidusko, director of Community Relations for the Resort, explains a little about the program: 
“Walt Disney World Resort is always looking for ways to invest in community partners that are devoted to helping children thrive.  Disney Helping Kids Shine grants recognize …