Disney/ABC Television Group’s (DATG) commitment to philanthropy and being a good corporate citizen is an important part of who we are and what we stand for. The Company has a rich history of giving, and through the ongoing efforts of our citizenship teams, VoluntEARS initiatives and employee engagement, that legacy carries on and grows stronger with each hour of service.
In an extraordinary example of this commitment, Paul Lee, president, ABC Entertainment, and 235 of his team members recently dedicated a full workday to participating in various volunteer activities around the community. “Be Inspired Volunteer Day” saw ABC Entertainment employees collectively devote 1,000 hours of service to meaningful causes.
“We do well by doing better,” David Ambroz, director, Corporate Citizenship and Social Responsibility, DATG, says. “As a company, we are comprised of individuals who care. This day inspires us to step away from our desks and put our work aside as we renew ourselves and our communities through giving.”
Whether it was working with Stop Hunger Now to package sustainable meals for those in need or sorting donated children’s clothing and baby supplies at Baby 2 Baby, DATG employees flexed their philanthropic muscle to show the power of working together to support important causes.
“There are so many people in need and we can really make a difference if we work together,” Akemi Phillips, manager, Marketing Strategy and Development, ABC Entertainment adds.
Along with Baby 2 Baby and Stop Hunger Now, DATG employees joined forces with the following groups throughout the day:
- Operation Gratitude: VoluntEARS made 706 paracord bracelets and wrote 388 postcards to U.S. Military Service Members deployed overseas.
- Pet Orphans: VoluntEARS cleaned up a pet-rescue site and helped to socialize animals as part of their rehabilitation process.
- Homeboy Industries: VoluntEARS worked with current Homeboy trainees in their bakery and catering department, helped place orders and learned about the unique organization.
- Youth Speak Collective’s Project Green Youth via Do Good Bus: VoluntEARS surprised the group by showing up unexpectedly to help garden green spaces for low-income youth and families.
- Annalee Avenue Elementary School via Do Good Bus: Making another surprise visit, VoluntEARS arrived to help build mini-libraries for students and paint the campus as a part of a beautification project.
It was truly a special day for DATG employees, and one that no doubt inspired even more community engagement. This event is simply one of many that tell the story of our employees’ commitment to service.