Disney Shares the Magic of Earth Month with Central Florida Students
Originally published at Disney Parks News
It’s been a special month here at Walt Disney World Resort, filled with memorable moments of discovery and connection as we celebrated our planet and all who call it home with cast members, guests and our Central Florida community – including our future magic makers and champions of change.
Throughout the month, cast members at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park welcomed nearly 100 students. From ELEVATE Orlando – a recent Disney Grant recipient of $500,000 – and the Junior Achievement of Central Florida for a variety of distinctly Disney learning opportunities. Llike the Caring for Giants tour where students learned all about our African elephant herd. And conservation efforts dedicated to the preservation of wild populations throughout the world.
We’ve worked with both organizations for many years. Supporting their efforts in youth mentoring and workforce development. So it was especially fun to celebrate Earth Month and enjoy some of our educational, in-park experiences, together.
“We are grateful to Walt Disney World Resort. For providing an incredible investment in Central Florida’s deserving urban youth,” Stephaney Moses, Post-Secondary Coordinator at ELEVATE Orlando, said. “Disney cast members have shared their magic through time, expertise, and mentoring. While teaching our students to dream big, challenge the status quo, and set high goals. Together, we ELEVATE Orlando.”
With many of the students interested in pursuing a career in environmental and animal sciences, cast members took them behind the scenes. For a series of career conversations where they learned more about what their future in these fields could look like… where they could picture what’s possible.
Beyond offering hands-on learning during Earth Month, our Disney VoluntEARS are creating a brighter tomorrow. For students through events like Junior Achievement of Central Florida’s Bowl-A-Thon where more than $100,000 was raised by cast. To help provide students with work-readiness, entrepreneurship and financial literacy educational opportunities.
I’m proud of my fellow cast members for supporting our community, and while Earth Month may be coming to an end, we are committed to investing in the place we call home year-round.
