Momof4inFL
Earning My Ears
- Joined
- Jun 19, 2005
- Messages
- 57
Hey All,
I wanted to write about the amazing people who made our GAD experience a dream. I will post short and long version
Pics at the end.
Short Version-My 4 kids and I were able to clean up the beach for an hour and half. It was a beautiful day and we had a great time together.
Long Version-I started to sign up for GAD the day the website started taking registration. Like most of us, I sat through many hours of disconnects and time outs only to get frustrated. I took a break for a while, and decided to try it again early the next morning. Luckily for us, our area provided a lot of opportunities. Due to the fact I had a 9 year old, opportunities became smaller, but there was still plenty. I finally found an opportunity that looked like a lot of fun, since my children are very into music. There was a chance to set up for a jazz performance at a local private college prep school. So, we signed up and were excited. I got a call about a week later from the lady organizing the event, and she says that due to mixups with Disney, apparently they allowed way too many people to sign up for the event. She said she had people ringing her phone off the hook from as far away as Miami Jacksonville and Pensacola. She said in her heart, there was no way she could turn people down who thought they were going to get to do the volunteering, so she called Disney and explained the dilemma. Disney gave her some ideas, and due to her huge heart and overwhelming kindness, she came up with an event that could take numerous people AND accommodate the youngest of volunteers. She decided to hold a beach clean up and placed no limit on the number of people who could go. I thanked her kindly for her work and determination to make sure people were not let down, and I am still very thankful. She spent most of her winter vacation back and forth on the phone with Disney, to make all of this happen.
Ok-it gets even better. Fast forward to this morning, the day of the event. We got to Florida Air Academy (the school where we were to meet) at about 8:15 am, call time was 8:30. It was VERY organized and I cannot even count the number of staff from the school who were there to greet us. We were ushered to a table where we had the choice to sign up to get a bus ride to and from the beach or just sign up and drive ourselves. We took the bus ride. Next...we were directed to the dining hall, where we were treated to breakfast. Muffins, donuts, bagels, fresh fruit, fresh juices milk, amazing....
After that, we all went out to the bleachers to get a group photo (apparently Disney asks for pictures), and after that, we were given our supplies...gloves, trash bags, AND bottled water.
I am still in shock and amazement at how hospitable these people were. As a single mom of 4 kids, 2 who are very busy with school activities, it was nice to spend a couple of hours on the beach, walking and picking up trash. The weather was absolutely gorgeous. The people on the beach thanked us many times for keeping their beach clean!
I realize that yes, we do get a free park ticket out of this, but honestly, being able to spend that time with my kids was priceless and I am very grateful for all that we did today.
The sign thanking us
Driving over the bridge to the beach
Ready to clean
Look at all of our trash!
Time to relax a bit!
I wanted to write about the amazing people who made our GAD experience a dream. I will post short and long version
Pics at the end.Short Version-My 4 kids and I were able to clean up the beach for an hour and half. It was a beautiful day and we had a great time together.
Long Version-I started to sign up for GAD the day the website started taking registration. Like most of us, I sat through many hours of disconnects and time outs only to get frustrated. I took a break for a while, and decided to try it again early the next morning. Luckily for us, our area provided a lot of opportunities. Due to the fact I had a 9 year old, opportunities became smaller, but there was still plenty. I finally found an opportunity that looked like a lot of fun, since my children are very into music. There was a chance to set up for a jazz performance at a local private college prep school. So, we signed up and were excited. I got a call about a week later from the lady organizing the event, and she says that due to mixups with Disney, apparently they allowed way too many people to sign up for the event. She said she had people ringing her phone off the hook from as far away as Miami Jacksonville and Pensacola. She said in her heart, there was no way she could turn people down who thought they were going to get to do the volunteering, so she called Disney and explained the dilemma. Disney gave her some ideas, and due to her huge heart and overwhelming kindness, she came up with an event that could take numerous people AND accommodate the youngest of volunteers. She decided to hold a beach clean up and placed no limit on the number of people who could go. I thanked her kindly for her work and determination to make sure people were not let down, and I am still very thankful. She spent most of her winter vacation back and forth on the phone with Disney, to make all of this happen.
Ok-it gets even better. Fast forward to this morning, the day of the event. We got to Florida Air Academy (the school where we were to meet) at about 8:15 am, call time was 8:30. It was VERY organized and I cannot even count the number of staff from the school who were there to greet us. We were ushered to a table where we had the choice to sign up to get a bus ride to and from the beach or just sign up and drive ourselves. We took the bus ride. Next...we were directed to the dining hall, where we were treated to breakfast. Muffins, donuts, bagels, fresh fruit, fresh juices milk, amazing....
After that, we all went out to the bleachers to get a group photo (apparently Disney asks for pictures), and after that, we were given our supplies...gloves, trash bags, AND bottled water.
I am still in shock and amazement at how hospitable these people were. As a single mom of 4 kids, 2 who are very busy with school activities, it was nice to spend a couple of hours on the beach, walking and picking up trash. The weather was absolutely gorgeous. The people on the beach thanked us many times for keeping their beach clean!
I realize that yes, we do get a free park ticket out of this, but honestly, being able to spend that time with my kids was priceless and I am very grateful for all that we did today.
The sign thanking us
Driving over the bridge to the beach
Ready to clean
Look at all of our trash!
Time to relax a bit!
