[Remy]

Im not sure if anyone saw this or if it was previously posted but I am really bummed! We were looking forward to this opportunity in the summer as we are volunteering in a few weeks,


Give a Day, Get a Disney Day’ Reaches Goal – 1 Million People Inspired to Volunteer in 2010 through the Disney Parks Program


“Give a Day, Get a Disney Day” – a first-of-its-kind program of Disney Parks – reached its goal of inspiring 1 million people in 2010 to give back to their communities through volunteer service in the United States, Puerto Rico and Canada.

Since the program started just 10 weeks ago, on Jan. 1, a million people already have volunteered or have committed to volunteer in their communities, according to Disney Parks and HandsOn Network, the nation’s largest volunteer network and a facilitator of “Give a Day, Get a Disney Day.”

To celebrate the good deeds of these individuals, Disney Parks offered each volunteer who completed an eligible project a free one-day admission to one theme park in Walt Disney World Resort in Florida or Disneyland Resort in California. Although registration is now closed and the program has ended, those who volunteered have until Dec. 15, 2010, to redeem their free park ticket (certain block-out dates apply).

“By any measure, the ‘Give a Day, Get a Disney Day’ program exceeded our expectations,” said Tom Staggs, chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts. “These one million volunteers touched their communities with their hearts and hands. Their commitment to service is truly worth celebrating, and there’s no better place to celebrate than at Disney Parks.”

Volunteerism has been a part of the Disney culture since the beginning. Through Disney VoluntEARS, cast members have been giving back to communities for more than a quarter century. More than 5.5 million hours of volunteer service worldwide have been donated, and Disney’s commitment to volunteerism will continue even as “Give a Day, Get a Disney Day” draws to a close.

Officials at HandsOn Network credited the “Give a Day, Get a Disney Day” program for increasing volunteer activities this year.

“The innovative nature of this program has exponentially increased our capacity to both invite and excite people about volunteerism,” said Michelle Nunn, co-founder of HandsOn Network and CEO of Points of Lights Institute. “The overwhelming participation of families – and youth especially – is a testament to a growing trend. Many of these volunteers are serving for the first time, and some will develop into service leaders who help change the face of our nation.”

Encouraging that kind of commitment was one aim of the Disney program, Staggs said.

“The goal of the ‘Give a Day, Get a Disney Day’ program was to lay the groundwork for a new spirit of volunteerism,” he said. “The need for volunteers across the country is ongoing. We look forward to more people, especially families, carrying on the momentum and giving back to their communities through volunteerism.”
Neighborhoods in need were the big beneficiaries of “Give a Day, Get a Disney Day” – from San Juan to San Diego, Vero Beach to Vancouver.

In Puerto Rico, 500 volunteers cleaned the beaches of Vaciatalega and La Perla located in the vicinity of Old San Juan. In Oakville, Ontario, a neighborhood center got new shelving and a spruced-up mural.

In Boston, volunteers served meals to people in need, knitted and crocheted scarves and mittens for children afflicted with life-threatening illnesses and helped as caregivers at an animal adoption center. In California, San Francisco Bay-area volunteers helped with basic English lessons, painted park benches and planted flowers.

In Jacksonville, Fla., volunteers painted murals and spruced up rooms at a home for women and children, while in Pittsburgh they took on construction tasks – tiling, sanding, staining and painting – to help create affordable housing.

Although the program has ended and a free Disney theme park ticket will no longer be provided, those still interested in volunteering may search for opportunities through HandsOn Network at HandsOnNetwork.org (or in Canada, at govolunteer.ca).

[Remy]

Don't get me wrong, I am thrilled Disney had this promotion as well as all the people who came out and participated. Charitable organizations really took a hit with donations and the rate of volunteers declined in the past two years so I am thrilled Disney stepped to the plate. I just wish my family could have enjoyed the benefits of volunteering...something we do every year without benefits from Disney.

[mickeyspal]

Even though the program has ended, let's hope that the volunteerism continues.

[MissDisney]

It was a great program that hopefully introduced people to the joys of halping out, and best of all, turned the spotlight on organizations that have been quietly doing good work with a handful of helpers. -- Areyvut in our area, for instance. I hope lots of people learned about that organization and are interested in helping out now.

[Lexie]

I already completed my sign up at DisneyParks.com and have committed to complete a volunteer activity through this site within the next 60 days. Will I still be able to receive a voucher for a free ticket to a U.S. Disney Theme Park?

Yes. If you already completed the signup process, including entering a specific day and time to volunteer, you will still be able to participate in the program. Once you complete your service, and your service has been verified, you can print a voucher for a free ticket. Please allow 2 weeks after your volunteer service to be verified for your voucher to be available at disneyparks.com. You can check the status of your verification by logging in to Manage My Account.

just got this off of the Disney web site. I had volunteered to make bag lunches for the homeless in April, glad I can help the community, and it looks like I will still recieve a ticket!

[Dopey]

Could I just say that it would be helpful for people to volunteer any day of the week, in your schools, at your recycling center, at habitat for humanity, your humane society and on and on without the proverbial carrot dangling in front of their noses.

Go out and do something for the heck of it.

[Dopey]

Oh sorry, I didn't see Mickeyspal's post

Exactly Christine!

[LittleMissMagic]

I think it's kind of lame. It's like, "Okay, we've reached our goal. Let's stop, now." That doesn't seem very Disney.....

I'm sure they'll continue to encourage people to volunteer throughout the year, though. It's pretty crazy that it only took three months for one million people to volunteer. Clearly, Disney has great influential power.

[Remy]

Originally Posted by Dopey

Could I just say that it would be helpful for people to volunteer any day of the week, in your schools, at your recycling center, at habitat for humanity, your humane society and on and on without the proverbial carrot dangling in front of their noses.

Go out and do something for the heck of it.

I couldn't agree with you more!

[Remy]

Originally Posted by LittleMissMagic

I think it's kind of lame. It's like, "Okay, we've reached our goal. Let's stop, now." That doesn't seem very Disney.....
.

That's what I thought!

[mommyof2]

Bummer...............(although my kids and I did our volunteer day a few weeks ago!!)

[WDW Rules]

Originally Posted by Dopey

Could I just say that it would be helpful for people to volunteer any day of the week, in your schools, at your recycling center, at habitat for humanity, your humane society and on and on without the proverbial carrot dangling in front of their noses.

Go out and do something for the heck of it.

Well said Dopey.

[Dopey]

Originally Posted by Remy

I couldn't agree with you more!

Remy, I didn't see your "disclaimer" post up there before.
I really felt that this promotion was way beneath us.

[MissDisney]

Originally Posted by LittleMissMagic

I think it's kind of lame. It's like, "Okay, we've reached our goal. Let's stop, now." That doesn't seem very Disney.....

Really? Why? They made it clear from the beginning that they were trying to get a million people to volunteer,and they did it. Sounds VERY Disney to me.

Originally Posted by Dopey

Remy, I didn't see your "disclaimer" post up there before.
I really felt that this promotion was way beneath us.

Many, many people have not been exposed to volunteerism and this was their first introduction to it. The promotion was designed to show everyone the many ways they can help. Not all the people who haven't been volunteering over the years are just avoiding involvement.... lots of them are people who mean well but who just didn't know the ropes.

In addition, this promotion served the most valuable purpose of all, which is to introduce lots of people to the very organizations that are around every day, all year. It is extremely hard, on a non-profit organization's limited budget, to get the word out. But this one promotion brought so many of these organizations to everyone's attention! I am a chronic volunteer -- for our hospital, the library, the thrift shop, the town, sports groups. You name it, I have been on the board or pitching in on a daily basis. One of the common challenges these groups (and all charities) all face is how to get the word out without spending a ton of valuable money.

As involved as I am, I thought I knew all the non-profits around me. But onteh GAD site, I discovered so many new and different organizations in my own area that needed help and were listed on the GAD form. I chose Areyvut, and phenomenal organization addressing childhood hunger. I had never heard of this group until GAD.

Sorry ladies, but I think this promotion served many, many purposes and all of them were great.

[cinderbella]

Originally Posted by MissDisney

Really? Why? They made it clear from the beginning that they were trying to get a million people to volunteer,and they did it. Sounds VERY Disney to me.

I *think* she means it's very un-Disney to reach a goal be rid of it. Usually Disney goes above and beyond you know? Of course they don't have to but the Disney track record would prove otherwise.