LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – Volunteers at Walt Disney World sifted through thousands of school supplies Thursday as part of the company’s annual back-to-school drive supporting A Gift For Teaching.
For the first time, the event was held at Disney’s BoardWalk Resort to allow more space for counting and organizing supplies.
Nelson Placa is the senior manager of corporate responsibility for Walt Disney World and said the event draws in hundreds of volunteers.
“For us, it’s important to be part of it, be able to help teachers and for teachers being able to give those items to students is amazing,” Placa said.
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As a founding sponsor of A Gift For Teaching, Disney has partnered with the organization for more than 25 years.
“We’re giving back to those who are part of our community, those who we call our home, which is Central Florida and having that opportunity to come together as a team,” Placa said.
A Gift for Teaching serves as Central Florida’s primary provider of free school supplies to teachers for their students who need them most.
Angela Garcia, who is the vice president of development and marketing, said the need grows every year.
“We want to support our teachers to make sure that they are not taking out of their own pocket to make sure their kiddos can be provided for,” Garcia said.
Last year, Disney cast members donated more than 110,000 school supplies to A Gift for Teaching.
For details on how to donate, visit A Gift for Teaching’s website.
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