Give a Day of Volunteer Service in 2010, Get a Day of Disney Theme Park Fun – Free

[Mufasa]

Disney Parks Hopes to Inspire 1 Million Volunteers Beginning Jan. 1

Sept. 29, 2009 – Disney Parks today announced a new program that celebrates the spirit of volunteer service with a simple proposition: “Give a Day, Get a Disney Day.”

Disney hopes to inspire families to volunteer in their communities during 2010 through this first-of-its-kind program. One million people 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.

While the “Give a Day, Get a Disney Day” program kicks off Jan. 1, right now guests can learn more about the program and how to get their free one-day admission to a Walt Disney World or Disneyland theme park by visiting www.DisneyParks.com (for the United States and Puerto Rico) or www.DisneyParks.ca (for Canada).

In the past year, guests have been celebrating all sorts of special moments in their lives at Disney parks – from birthdays and anniversaries to reunions and graduations – as part of the “What Will You Celebrate?” campaign.

“In 2010, we want to recognize and add one more reason for celebration: the contributions people make to their communities every day,” said Jay Rasulo, chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts. “We want to inspire 1 million volunteers – people who will invest time and energy to make their own communities and neighborhoods a better place.”

To enable people to sign up for an eligible volunteer project, Disney is working with HandsOn Network, the nation’s largest volunteer 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.”

Starting Jan. 1, 2010, guests can go to www.DisneyParks.com for the United States and Puerto Rico or www.DisneyParks.ca for Canada to search for volunteer opportunities available in those areas through HandsOn Network and sign up for a day of volunteer service. Many of the opportunities will be for projects that entire families can participate in together.

To raise awareness for grass-roots community volunteerism and the “Give a Day, Get a Disney Day” program, Disney VoluntEARS joined local volunteers in cities across the United States and Canada today. Work projects involving 1,000 volunteers were coordinated by HandsOn Network in Atlanta, Chicago, Los Angeles and Miami, and across Canada – in Toronto, Montreal, Halifax and Vancouver.

Joining the Sept. 29 effort were scores of volunteers from Southwest Airlines, which will also provide transportation for a 20-city tour that will take the Disney Parks volunteer message to major cities across the United States this fall and winter.

“Southwest Airlines strives to make a positive difference in the communities we serve, from protecting the environment to supporting a local cause,” said Linda Rutherford, vice president of Communications and Strategic Outreach, Southwest Airlines. “Southwest employees give back both locally and nationally through volunteerism, with individual and personal efforts, serving together as teams or through companywide efforts. The opportunity with Disney unites two companies that are devoted to the spirit of volunteerism.”

Give a Day, Get a Disney Day details:
Must pre-register and sign up for eligible volunteer opportunity at 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.

[Mufasa]

As with the "What will you Celebrate" promotion, if you already hold park passes (AP holder or multi-day park hopper tickets as part of your resort vacation)- you can choose a set of fastpasses (for up to 6) as an alternate to free admission.

You can also choose to donate your earned free ticket to a charity, or receive a collectible Ear Hat figurine along with a set of pins.

No cash refunds or credits are offered in exchange of the volunteer ticket.

The volunteer work must be performed in 2010, and the park visit must take place by Dec. 15, 2010. Participants must be 18 or older to sign up for the program, but volunteer work done by children ages 6-17 qualifies for a free ticket as long as kids are accompanied by an adult when volunteering.

The theme park tickets distributed under this program will not be valid for the following dates:

• For Walt Disney World® Resort: March 29 - April 8 and July 4, 2010
• For Disneyland® Resort: February 13-14, March 21, June 21-22, July 4, November 21, and December 11-12, 2010.

Also, the program is limited to one ticket per person, regardless of the number of times you volunteer.

[Dragongirlx]

This is a really good idea. However is there any details of a similar promotion for those of us who don't live in the US Canada

[seanyred]

Not a bad idea. If it helps get people more involved in thier communities then all the better. I'll be an AP holder during that time but I may look into it and donate my ticket. I'll have to see what type of volunterring oportunities are out there.

[TheVBs]

Do you have to be an AP holder to opt for donating your ticket or getting the figurine/pins?

[TheRustyScupper]

Originally Posted by TheVBs

Do you have to be an AP holder to opt for donating your ticket or getting the figurine/pins?

According to the rules, any multi-day pass or AP is eligible.

[TheVBs]

Originally Posted by TheRustyScupper

According to the rules, any multi-day pass or AP is eligible.

Thanks!

[Iluvpooh]

This may work out better for me than the birthday promo. (My b-day is mid June-too hot for WDW for me!)
Anyone know where to find a list of participating charities?

[Strmchsr]

Originally Posted by Iluvpooh

This may work out better for me than the birthday promo. (My b-day is mid June-too hot for WDW for me!)
Anyone know where to find a list of participating charities?

That will show up when the volunteer site goes live on Jan 1.

[wire0monkey]

This promotion rocks!

I love it so much more than the the last two, which seem sort of narcissistic in comparison.

I like the idea that Disney is promoting what we can give to the community, rather than demanding Disney give US more. I think most people who can afford Disney vacations already have a lot to be grateful for, and don't really need more.

[jonahbear2006]

I love this!!!! I want to register for the whole family !

[GoinGoofyPlanninThisTrip]

Is it truly volunteering if you expect to get something in return?

[Lakin]

Originally Posted by GoinGoofyPlanninThisTrip

Is it truly volunteering if you expect to get something in return?

Interesting point.

[missymouseworld]

It is a shame they didn't include those who volunteer every day, every year, like the local volunteer firemen/women, police auxillary, first aiders, etc. That would have been great to give them something back. That is what I was thinking before they announced it had to be a through a specific volunteer network.

[mousetrapper]

What a great idea. I also love the previous poster's idea about having a day for firefighters, police officers, etc.

[Ian]

Originally Posted by GoinGoofyPlanninThisTrip

Is it truly volunteering if you expect to get something in return?

It's not about that ... it's about encouraging people to get involved with volunteer organizations. It's a motivator.

I think it's a good idea ... it gets people moving and gives them a reason to go out and try helping others. Maybe then they'll realize that it feels good and keep on doing it long after this promotion ends.

Even if only 10% of the people who do it end up continuing on with it, it's still well worth it. People need a reason to take time out of their already incredibly hectic schedules.

[Tinkermom]

I just heard about this on K-Love radio and have to say...

Way to go Disney! I LOVE this idea!

[Patricia]

I like this idea. I wouldn't have the tickets in time for our January trip to WDW, but it's great if they can get people out to try volunteering. Once they start they may keep going.

We already volunteer at a couple of places on the list in Canada and will be eligible for this. Works for me, even if I took one pin gift, I can still donate two of our tickets.

[BIGDOG]

I am a member of the coast guard auxillary, does that count? We do volunteer work all year long. Boating saftey classes, boat safety inspections, a patrols for homeland security. We not only do get paid we pay dues to be a member?

[kakn7294]

I think this is an incredible promotion! Not only can anyone, not just those celebrating a birthday, get a free day's park admission, it benefits entire communities when someone volunteers even if it's done just to get a free park day. And it's a great way to bring families out to volunteer together. I can't wait to see the list on Jan 1st!