OnWithTheShow
No Entangling Alliances
- Joined
- Sep 20, 1999
- Messages
- 857
Dear Fellow Cast Member:
It is wonderful to see Americans showing the colors by raising flags in
neighborhoods across the country. But, it is equally wonderful to see how
our countrymen are also showing the colors through their continuing
generosity to the victims of last week's disaster.
This past weekend, the list of activities undertaken by Disney businesses
and by individual cast members got longer, too long for me to report here.
So, I would like to simply let you know of two new developments.
First of all, during the weekend, we finalized plans to make a total
corporate contribution to the DisneyHAND: Survivor Relief Fund of $5
million. This, of course, will be in addition to your individual donations.
The cast member response to the establishment of this fund has been
overwhelming and it is only appropriate that a significant sum be
contributed proudly in the name of The Walt Disney Company.
Secondly, you should know that at Edison Field, the home of our baseball
team, the Anaheim Angels, a fundraising event was held that generated
$780,710 in contributions. This tremendous effort was pulled together in
less than 48 hours by cast members from Disneyland Resort, KABC-TV, KABC
Radio, KLOS, Radio, ESPN Radio, Radio Disney, The Mighty Ducks and the
Anaheim Angels, working closely with the Orange County Red Cross. Many
local businesses, including ARAMARK, our partner at the ballpark, showed up
with donuts, cookies, water, drinks and even pizza for the volunteers and
the public. Once again, our own Disney VoluntEARS were on hand to
supplement the Red Cross volunteers in helping to collect donations and
assisting with all aspects of the event.
Tens of thousands showed up out of a common desire to assist the Red Cross
efforts and just show their support for the victims, their families and
those who are working around the clock in New York, Washington and
Pennsylvania. Local fire departments parked their fire trucks outside the
stadium and placed their boots on the ground to collect funds for the
families of firefighters who lost their lives. These boots quickly filled
to the brim. KABC-TV on-air talent greeted the crowd and conducted live
updates on air. KABC Radio broadcast live from the site. Mighty Ducks and
Angels players passed out flags and signed autographs. There were
celebrities and ordinary citizens, all there for a single cause.
What's more, on Friday at Dodger Stadium, there was a similar event that
raised $236,000. Helping out were on-air personalities and others from
KABC-TV, KABC Radio, KLOS, Radio, ESPN Radio and Radio Disney.
Funds from both of these events are going to the Red Cross for disaster
relief in New York and Washington, D.C., meaning that more than $1 million
in contributions were generated in just two gatherings of Southern
California citizens. The Edison Field and Dodger Stadium events were
typical as, throughout the nation, Americans gathered as one to make a
difference.
The terrorists may have intended to weaken us, but clearly they only
succeeded in bringing us together.
Michael
P.S. As we pay tribute to our unity, it is also important to honor our
diversity. In this spirit, let me wish a Happy New Year to all of you who
will be celebrating Rosh Hashanah tonight and tomorrow. Let us all dearly
hope that it will be a good year of brotherhood and peace.
It is wonderful to see Americans showing the colors by raising flags in
neighborhoods across the country. But, it is equally wonderful to see how
our countrymen are also showing the colors through their continuing
generosity to the victims of last week's disaster.
This past weekend, the list of activities undertaken by Disney businesses
and by individual cast members got longer, too long for me to report here.
So, I would like to simply let you know of two new developments.
First of all, during the weekend, we finalized plans to make a total
corporate contribution to the DisneyHAND: Survivor Relief Fund of $5
million. This, of course, will be in addition to your individual donations.
The cast member response to the establishment of this fund has been
overwhelming and it is only appropriate that a significant sum be
contributed proudly in the name of The Walt Disney Company.
Secondly, you should know that at Edison Field, the home of our baseball
team, the Anaheim Angels, a fundraising event was held that generated
$780,710 in contributions. This tremendous effort was pulled together in
less than 48 hours by cast members from Disneyland Resort, KABC-TV, KABC
Radio, KLOS, Radio, ESPN Radio, Radio Disney, The Mighty Ducks and the
Anaheim Angels, working closely with the Orange County Red Cross. Many
local businesses, including ARAMARK, our partner at the ballpark, showed up
with donuts, cookies, water, drinks and even pizza for the volunteers and
the public. Once again, our own Disney VoluntEARS were on hand to
supplement the Red Cross volunteers in helping to collect donations and
assisting with all aspects of the event.
Tens of thousands showed up out of a common desire to assist the Red Cross
efforts and just show their support for the victims, their families and
those who are working around the clock in New York, Washington and
Pennsylvania. Local fire departments parked their fire trucks outside the
stadium and placed their boots on the ground to collect funds for the
families of firefighters who lost their lives. These boots quickly filled
to the brim. KABC-TV on-air talent greeted the crowd and conducted live
updates on air. KABC Radio broadcast live from the site. Mighty Ducks and
Angels players passed out flags and signed autographs. There were
celebrities and ordinary citizens, all there for a single cause.
What's more, on Friday at Dodger Stadium, there was a similar event that
raised $236,000. Helping out were on-air personalities and others from
KABC-TV, KABC Radio, KLOS, Radio, ESPN Radio and Radio Disney.
Funds from both of these events are going to the Red Cross for disaster
relief in New York and Washington, D.C., meaning that more than $1 million
in contributions were generated in just two gatherings of Southern
California citizens. The Edison Field and Dodger Stadium events were
typical as, throughout the nation, Americans gathered as one to make a
difference.
The terrorists may have intended to weaken us, but clearly they only
succeeded in bringing us together.
Michael
P.S. As we pay tribute to our unity, it is also important to honor our
diversity. In this spirit, let me wish a Happy New Year to all of you who
will be celebrating Rosh Hashanah tonight and tomorrow. Let us all dearly
hope that it will be a good year of brotherhood and peace.
