Disney Donates $15 Million to California Wildfire Relief, Supports Impacted Communities
Disney Donates $15 Million to California Wildfire Relief, Supports Impacted Communities
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News Disney Donates $15 Million to California Wildfire Relief, Supports Impacted Communities
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From a new New York Times report:
"As Disney reopened its corporate headquarters in Burbank on Tuesday, the monumental “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” statues holding up the roof grinned their usual grins. Inside, though, it was not quite business as usual.
At least 64 Disney employees have lost their homes in the wildfires. They include the president of Disney Branded Television (“Mickey Mouse Clubhouse”) and the president of Walt Disney Music, which handles songs for animated and live-action movies. Hundreds more remain evacuated from their homes, including Robert A. Iger, Disney’s chief executive.
Mr. Iger, of course, still has a $200 billion, multinational company to run. Disney, like other entertainment companies based in Los Angeles, has seen minimal disruption to most of its businesses. But Mr. Iger has also been leading Disney’s response to the fires, which has included — but goes far beyond — the donation of $15 million to local disaster recovery organizations.
“We want to help rebuild,” he said in an interview. “Can we help in setting up temporary schools? Can our Imagineers help design new town centers? Rebuilding is not just about money. It’s about ingenuity and determination.”
In terms of immediate employee assistance, about 100 displaced Disney workers — from assistants to the company’s general counsel — have been staying in hotel rooms at Disneyland, where operations have not been interrupted. (It’s 30 miles south of Los Angeles.) Disney’s employee relief fund provides up to $1,500 for basic household necessities. Disney is also giving some employees an additional $2,500 as a lump sum for incidental expenses.
For anyone at Disney who cannot immediately return home when the evacuation orders are lifted — some houses are gone, while others require extensive repairs — the company is providing two months of free furnished housing, among other benefits. Disney has also opened its studio wardrobe warehouses to employees who need clothes and shoes, according to Sonia Coleman, the company’s chief of human resources."
"As Disney reopened its corporate headquarters in Burbank on Tuesday, the monumental “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” statues holding up the roof grinned their usual grins. Inside, though, it was not quite business as usual.
At least 64 Disney employees have lost their homes in the wildfires. They include the president of Disney Branded Television (“Mickey Mouse Clubhouse”) and the president of Walt Disney Music, which handles songs for animated and live-action movies. Hundreds more remain evacuated from their homes, including Robert A. Iger, Disney’s chief executive.
Mr. Iger, of course, still has a $200 billion, multinational company to run. Disney, like other entertainment companies based in Los Angeles, has seen minimal disruption to most of its businesses. But Mr. Iger has also been leading Disney’s response to the fires, which has included — but goes far beyond — the donation of $15 million to local disaster recovery organizations.
“We want to help rebuild,” he said in an interview. “Can we help in setting up temporary schools? Can our Imagineers help design new town centers? Rebuilding is not just about money. It’s about ingenuity and determination.”
In terms of immediate employee assistance, about 100 displaced Disney workers — from assistants to the company’s general counsel — have been staying in hotel rooms at Disneyland, where operations have not been interrupted. (It’s 30 miles south of Los Angeles.) Disney’s employee relief fund provides up to $1,500 for basic household necessities. Disney is also giving some employees an additional $2,500 as a lump sum for incidental expenses.
For anyone at Disney who cannot immediately return home when the evacuation orders are lifted — some houses are gone, while others require extensive repairs — the company is providing two months of free furnished housing, among other benefits. Disney has also opened its studio wardrobe warehouses to employees who need clothes and shoes, according to Sonia Coleman, the company’s chief of human resources."
Disney Launches 'LA Strong' Shirt to Support California Wildfire Relief
Disney Launches 'LA Strong' Shirt to Support California Wildfire Relief
Disney Launches 'LA Strong' Shirt to Support California Wildfire Relief
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Disney shared more about what the company is doing to help rebuild from the LA wildfires:
The Walt Disney Company’s Imagineers — the creative minds behind some of the world’s most iconic experiences — are applying their visionary talents to help rebuild and reimagine public spaces that were lost in this year’s devastating wildfires across Los Angeles.
As part of its ongoing $15 million commitment to help LA recover from the disaster, Disney is directing $5 million to support the reopening of Altadena’s Charles White Park, which was destroyed in the January blaze. The revitalized park will feature a new community center and an enhanced playground infused with Disney magic to bring joy to families in the area for its anticipated reopening in 2026.
Since early this year, the Imagineers have been working closely with County staff to help reimagine the park in several ways, including site planning, landscape architecture, and playground design. Some Imagineers tragically lost their own homes in the fires, making their contributions to the community’s recovery even more meaningful. In addition to Charles White Park, Imagineers are supporting recovery efforts at two additional severely damaged Altadena parks.
“Los Angeles has been home to The Walt Disney Company since its founding more than a century ago, which is why we felt a special responsibility to help this community rebuild in the aftermath of the devastating wildfires earlier this year,” said Bob Iger, CEO of The Walt Disney Company. “I’m incredibly proud of our Imagineers who are volunteering their time and talents to help reimagine cherished public spaces like Charles White Park. Their work is not only a testament to Disney’s creative spirit, but also to our deep commitment to our neighbors throughout this region. We hope this effort brings comfort, joy, and a sense of renewal to the Altadena community for years to come.”
Read more at the link below:
thewaltdisneycompany.com
The Walt Disney Company’s Imagineers — the creative minds behind some of the world’s most iconic experiences — are applying their visionary talents to help rebuild and reimagine public spaces that were lost in this year’s devastating wildfires across Los Angeles.
As part of its ongoing $15 million commitment to help LA recover from the disaster, Disney is directing $5 million to support the reopening of Altadena’s Charles White Park, which was destroyed in the January blaze. The revitalized park will feature a new community center and an enhanced playground infused with Disney magic to bring joy to families in the area for its anticipated reopening in 2026.
Since early this year, the Imagineers have been working closely with County staff to help reimagine the park in several ways, including site planning, landscape architecture, and playground design. Some Imagineers tragically lost their own homes in the fires, making their contributions to the community’s recovery even more meaningful. In addition to Charles White Park, Imagineers are supporting recovery efforts at two additional severely damaged Altadena parks.
“Los Angeles has been home to The Walt Disney Company since its founding more than a century ago, which is why we felt a special responsibility to help this community rebuild in the aftermath of the devastating wildfires earlier this year,” said Bob Iger, CEO of The Walt Disney Company. “I’m incredibly proud of our Imagineers who are volunteering their time and talents to help reimagine cherished public spaces like Charles White Park. Their work is not only a testament to Disney’s creative spirit, but also to our deep commitment to our neighbors throughout this region. We hope this effort brings comfort, joy, and a sense of renewal to the Altadena community for years to come.”
Read more at the link below:
Imagineers Reimagine Community Spaces as LA Continues Rebuilding Efforts | The Walt Disney Company
As part of its ongoing $15 million commitment to help LA recover from the disaster, Disney is supporting the reopening of Altadena’s Charles White Park.
thewaltdisneycompany.com