LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla., – Walt Disney World Resort recently recognized exceptional Cast Members for their incredible dedication and heartfelt approach to volunteering within the community.
Being named Disney VoluntEAR of the Year, Disney VoluntEARS Team of the Year, and Disney VoluntEARS Family of the Year, selected Cast Members were part of 12,000 Disney VoluntEARS who donated more than 250,000 hours of service to nonprofit agencies over the past year.
“I am so inspired by our Cast Members, who give so much of themselves throughout the year to make such a positive impact and significant contribution in our community,” said Nancy Gidusko, director of Corporate Citizenship for Walt Disney World Resort. “These awards are a way to recognize our Cast Members and give back to the organizations that mean so much to them.”
Maria Kirkland, who works with Guest Experience Services, was named the 2016 Disney VoluntEAR of the Year. With great enthusiasm for giving back and serving the community, Maria lent a helping hand to over 20 nonprofits in 2015 alone.
The Magic Kingdom Emporium team is the small but mighty 2016 Disney VoluntEARS Team of the Year. Team members Caitlin Dykema, Sandy Giffen, Michele Miersch and George Youngdahl collaborated to organize a variety of Disney VoluntEAR opportunities for their Cast, instilling a sense of camaraderie within Magic Kingdom Park.
The honor of Disney VoluntEARS Family of the Year went to the Reed family. Marcy Reed, who works at Disney Vacation Club, her husband Stephen, and two children Helina and Austin, believe in the importance of giving back and helping others in their community by volunteering as a family.
These Disney VoluntEARS will continue to impact the community Disney will donate $2,500 to the nonprofits they selected including Second Harvest Food Bank, Pet Alliance of Greater Orlando and Davenport School of the Arts.
A Disney blooded, crafty, fun-lovin’ wife/mom/organizer/planner, etc who is obsessed with all things Disney 🙂 Maria grew up with the Magic Kingdom and has loved watching WDW evolve into what it is today. A firm believer in the Power of Pixie Dust, she is the owner of The Disney Driven Life – A Community for Neurotic Disney People & a d.i.y. crafty blog, Carousel of Projects – create~inspire~share.
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