Lifetime Moms

Give a Day, Get a Disney Day” It’s a Small World!

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I had so much fun watching my kids discover Small World on their first trip to Walt Disney World.

So I love that this year, Disney Parks is illustrating to children and families just how small and interconnected our world actually is. Through a program called “Give a Day, Get a Disney Day”, folks will have a chance to experience a day of Disney Magic in return for a day of their service in their own communities.

How great is that? A moment to teach our kids that volunteerism not only helps others and makes you feel good, but is valued by an organization and has a tangible reward.

Disney hopes to inspire families to volunteer in their communities this year through this first-of-its-kind program. The first million who perform volunteer service for a participating organization will receive a free one-day admission ticket to a Walt Disney World Resort or Disneyland Resort theme park.

And it appears that this may be the year to make it happen- Disney Parks and HandsOn Network, the nation’s largest volunteer network, commissioned a survey in November 2009. The results suggest that 2010 may see a surge of helping hands and giving hearts, as more families resolve to volunteer.  

The survey, conducted by New York-based Kelton Research Nov. 18-23, 2009, found that 59 percent of Americans plan to volunteer in 2010.  Interestingly, more women than men (62 percent vs. 54 percent) include volunteering as a goal for next year.  

The hardest part for me, as a parent,  is finding opportunities that are suitable for both me and my children- and of course, I want to know that my kids will have a positive experience volunteering. Disney and Hands on Network have taken the guesswork out of that process, with a great localized volunteerism search engine available at www.disneyparks.com.

Survey results also showed that 41 percent of Americans would rather pledge to help others, such as volunteering, than resolve to do something that is purely self-serving.  In fact, when asked what they anticipate they could accomplish in 2010, 52 percent of Americans surveyed identified spending more time together, followed by 30 percent who selected volunteering as foreseeable goals. 

To enable people to sign up for an eligible volunteer project, Disney is working with HandsOn Network.   Part of Points of Light Institute, HandsOn Network has 250 on-the-ground volunteer action centers across the country and connects volunteers to more than 70,000 nonprofit agencies that need their help.

“Wherever we live, our communities need our hands-on help to thrive,” said Michelle Nunn, CEO of Points of Light Institute. “We are thrilled at this unprecedented effort by Disney Parks to help mobilize 1 million volunteers into action.  ‘Give a Day, Get a Disney Day’ has the potential to reach so many families and instill the volunteer spirit in a new generation.”

Bob Iger, president and CEO of The Walt Disney Company, said, “‘Give a Day, Get a Disney Day’ fits perfectly with our long history of supporting and participating in volunteer efforts.  It’s a great way to honor guests who are making a positive contribution to their communities.”

I’m definitely thrilled at the opportunity to teach my children that giving back is important, and is valued by our society- and that far from being an onerous chore, it can be a gateway to a really fun time.

I’m signing up with my thirteen year old to garden at the Northern Virginia Ronald McDonald house in the Spring- and then we’ll look forward to our next Disney trip.:)          

'Give a Day, Get a Disney Day' details:

Must pre-register and sign up for eligible volunteer opportunity at www.disneyparks.com.  Ticket quantities for this program are limited. Must be at least age 6 to participate. Other terms and conditions apply.  For details, see disneyparks.com in the United States and Puerto Rico. In Canada, see disneyparks.ca.

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