The Walt Disney Company has a long tradition of donating toys to disadvantaged children around the world and brightening the holidays for hundreds of families - and this year was no exception! To find out about the many exciting and heartwarming events that were part of this year's DisneyHand Holidays celebration, please click here.

Make A Difference Day -- October 25th, 2003

In the largest collaboration of its kind, USA Weekend Magazine, Points of Light Foundation, and DisneyHand combined their resources and reach to encourage American's to volunteer on Make A Difference Day, October 25, 2003. On Make A Difference Day over 300 volunteers assembled for a massive cleanup in Anacostia Park on Kingman and Heritage islands in Washington, D.C. Volunteer activities included landscaping, an enviro-camp for kids, and trash removal from land and water. Interior Secretary Gale Norton rolled up her sleeves: "I started off pulling invasive species, in other words, 'weeds,' then migrated to picking up trash!" Norton surveyed the youngest volunteers, first- and second-graders, with pride: "It's terrific to see them learning what they can do to take care of the lands they'll inherit." The project was followed by a special screening of Disney's "Brother Bear."

From August through September, 2003 Inspirational messages from stars of ABC,ESPN and Disney Channel appeared in USA WEEKEND to encourage people to get involved.

Take Pride in America
DisneyHand, worldwide outreach for The Walt Disney Company, is a proud sponsor of Take Pride in America, a nation-wide program that encourages all Americans to take care of our natural treasures -- from community playgrounds to national parks. In support of this effort, Disney Cast Member "VoluntEARS" are showing their character by volunteering in "Character Clean Up" volunteer projects around the country.

Please remember that the public lands belong to each one of us. Together we must lend a hand and do our part by picking up litter, restoring trails, planting trees or creating our own environmental project to ensure that public lands throughout the country can be enjoyed by future generations.

For information on how you can "Show Your Character" with your family and friends, please visit www.TakePride.gov to seek out volunteer opportunities, explore a "How-to Guide for Young Volunteers" and find information about how to create your own Take Pride in America project.

Disney Teams up with CITYarts in New York City
As part of Disney's ongoing commitment to the arts and support of New York City and the people who live there, Disney has teamed up with CITYarts on Celebrating the Heroes of Our City. As part of their continuing partnership, CITYarts and Disney worked together to develop a project that would allow Disney to bring its resources and VoluntEARS together to help one New York City neighborhood and the children who live there. The end result: A 210-foot mural!		Members of the New York Police Department Marching Band playing in front of the "marching band of heroes" portion of the wall.

Click here to learn more about Disney's work with CITYarts.

Operation Uplift
When Walt Disney Company cast member Mike Woodhall began writing letters of support to U.S. Troops during Operation Desert Storm, he never imagined it would blossom into a company-wide initiative. He read a letter in the newspaper from a serviceman who said that the troops didn't get much mail, but when they did they knew that people back at home cared and it meant the world to them. That struck a chord with Mr. Woodhall and he began writing to the troops to thank them for their efforts and to let them know people at home did indeed care about them. For his efforts, Mr. Woodhall was named 1998 Disney VoluntEAR at the Disneyland Resort.

Since 1995, Disney cast members have continued this tradition by running Disney's Operation Uplift, sending messages of support and thanks to U.S. servicemen and women, including the sailors and marines serving aboard the U.S.S. Shreveport who are seeing duty in Operation Enduring Freedom. The recipients' gratitude was expressed by their commanding officer, Captain William Valentine, in the following letter:

Greetings from the Commanding Officer of USS SHREVEPORT (LPD-12). My name is Captain Bill Valentine. I am sending you this note on behalf of everyone aboard to extend a sincere and heartfelt thank you to the entire Disney Corporation, and in particular, Mike Woodhall and his team at OPERATION UPLIFT, for all of your wonderful support. SHREVEPORT has been deployed to the North Arabian Sea since 19 September in support of OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM. The ship's homeport is Norfolk, Virginia and all 800 of our Sailors and Marines are counting the days until we return. Mike made contact with the ship immediately after the tragic events of September 11th, just prior to the ship leaving on our current deployment. In fact, we put to sea on the day of the attacks to render any support we could. Mike and his team understood at once that our ship would be away from home for the Holidays. The OPERATION UPLIFT organization flew into action to make sure our Sailors and Marines knew how much their efforts were appreciated. The result was over 1,000 post cards, signed by the Disney family of characters, along with numerous gifts arriving aboard SHREVEPORT in time for Christmas. We distributed these gifts to all of our Sailors and Marines, and the smiles on their faces would have brought a tear to your eye. It was a great gesture by the Disney organization, one that had a profound and positive impact on the READINESS, SAFETY, and QUALITY OF LIFE for each and every person aboard. Mike and his team are to be commended for their tireless and dedicated support of this ship. I also wanted to thank you for hosting "Military Appreciation Days". I know that the uniformed men and women who proudly serve our country will thoroughly enjoy their stay in the MAGIC KINGDOM! Please accept our thanks and deep appreciation for your company's support of SHREVEPORT and the NAVY/MARINES CORPS. As a long time stockholder in your company, I know that the DISNEY CORP has business interests that span the globe and involve billions of dollars. However, the true character of your organization is reflected in the attitudes and actions of the individuals that make up the DISNEY FAMILY. For what it is worth, Mike Woodhall and his team made life at sea for over 800 people a little easier, a lot happier, and considerably more satisfying. It was a gesture of kindness that no one on SHREVEPORT will soon forget. I have attached a picture that captures the spirit of thanks and appreciation of this Captain and his crew. I hope it brings a smile of pride and satisfaction to everyone at DISNEY. Warm Regards and God Bless, William D. Valentine, Jr. CAPT USN Commanding Officer USS SHREVEPORT (LPD-12) FPO AE 09587-1714

In thanks for all the warm and supportive thoughts from Mickey and his friends from Disneyland, the U.S.S. Shreveport's crew assembled on the flight deck to say "thank you" and pay tribute to Operation Uplift's resounding success. In true Mouseketeer style, Sailors and Marines banded together, with postcards held high, to form the shape of Disney's most famous and lovable mascot, Mickey Mouse. "The immense support we receive from the folks back home helps remind us why we're all out here," said Petty Officer First Class Troy Williams. In the spirit of Operation Uplift, project manager Mike Woodhall sent a special message via e-mail to all of Shreveport's Mouseketeers: "From the happiest place on earth to the men and women of the U.S.S Shreveport, we wish you all a safe and peaceful New Year and a speedy return home to your loved ones."