Start A New Family Resolution In 2010 By Volunteering

Staying in town this March Break and want to do something meaningful with the kids? How about starting a new family tradition by helping others within your community?

A special initiative launched by Disney Parks is providing a unique volunteer opportunity for families to perform a charitable act together and, in turn, be rewarded with a free, one-day pass to a Disney park in 2010.

Entitled “Give a Day. Get a Disney Day,” Disney Parks officially launched this first-of-its-kind initiative on Jan. 1, 2010 with the help of HandsOn Network and Volunteer Canada. Through the program, Disney Parks hopes to inspire one million people to perform a day of volunteering for a participating organization in 2010. The response has been overwhelming so far; over 600,000 people within North America have already signed up.

“Disney Parks, through Volunteer Canada, is making it easy for volunteers of all ages to find an organization in need,” said Ruth Mackenzie, president of Volunteer Canada. “There has never been a better time to start a new tradition of volunteering together as Disney Parks celebrates good deeds with a free Disney theme park ticket, and it’s also a great time for non-profit organizations to inspire more people to get involved in their communities.”

Marlie Morrison, Disney Parks’ Managing Director, Marketing & Sales, said Disney was inspired by the recent movement of volunteers throughout communities and within the Disney cast itself, which has a long history of volunteering together. “We wanted to reward people by saying, ‘Come in. Be our guest,’ and giving them a free, one-day admission ticket to a Walt Disney World Resort or Disneyland Resort theme park.” ‘What Can We Celebrate Together?’ became 2010’s mantra, stemming from 2009’s successful ‘What Will You Celebrate?’ campaign.

This opportunity is particularly attractive to families, Morrison said, because it allows them to search and pick opportunities that allow them to volunteer together. “Moms want to get kids involved early on,” she said. “As a mom, I hope it instills in kids and families the spirit of volunteerism. And hopefully not just once – there are many regular opportunities that they can help out with.”

Volunteering can be very important for people, said Ruth. In this case, they can be part of a special million as they celebrate volunteerism through the North American-wide initiative. “It’s a great way to raise the profile of volunteers, and it demonstrates good corporate leadership on Disney’s part. Fifty thousand days of service will have a huge impact on organizations, raise awareness of volunteerism to Canadians, and hopefully inspire new people to volunteer.” She added that she is impressed with Canadians’ generosity from coast to coast.

If you can’t travel to Disney this year, you can feel extra good about yourself by donating your ticket to Dreams Take Flight, a national volunteer charitable organization dedicated to providing the trip of a lifetime to physically, mentally or socially challenged children.

How to Get Involved

There are many opportunities available across the GTA and Southern Ontario including War Child, Habitat for Humanity, Make-A-Wish Canada and various food banks. Families are encouraged to visit www.DisneyParks.ca to research and sign up for a volunteer opportunity in their local community. Interested non-profit organizations can find out more by going to www.govolunteer.ca.

Stats: Make volunteering a family resolution in 2010

The year 2010 will see 67 per cent of Canadians volunteering, according to a December 2009 Angus Reid Public Opinion survey. When asked what will be the most rewarding goals in 2010, 57 per cent gave spending more time together as a family the top spot, followed by volunteering (34 per cent).

According to the Canada Survey of Giving, Participating and Volunteering, family time and volunteering can go hand in hand. The data shows that children and youth who have parents who volunteer are more likely to participate in community service. They are also more likely to become engaged citizens if they have seen someone they admire helping others.

Collectively, volunteers contribute just over 2.1 billion volunteer hours, equivalent to almost 1.1 million full-time jobs, according to the most recent Canada Survey of Giving, Volunteering and Participating. This volunteer contingent offers a significant potential to help organizations that deliver essential services to the community. Through volunteering, communities benefit from the steps taken to help rebuild local areas, and nonprofits receive valuable assistance.

Top image:  Teri Hatcher And James Denton Celebrate The Announcement Of “Give a Day. Get a Disney Day”. Courtesy Getty Images/Disney handout.

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