Two primary compassion programs that DisneyHand supports are the medical compassion program and the Company�s relief efforts in the wake of September 11.  The medical compassion program creates opportunities to fulfill the wishes of children stricken with life-threatening illnesses, support those with life-threatening medical conditions and assist those who have suffered from natural disasters.   The Walt Disney Company and Disney employees work with major wish-giving organizations, such as the Make-A-Wish Foundation, Dreams Come True, A Special Wish, Starlight Foundation and Give Kids the World.  

The number one wish of all children with life threatening illnesses is a trip to a Disney theme park. In 2001, the company donated more than 7,000 trips to Disney theme parks, nearly 300 Disney Cruise packages and nearly 85,000 complimentary park tickets, which amounts to more than $4 million in tickets and in-kind support for compassion programs. In addition, the company provided shopping sprees at Disney Stores and movie screenings around the country. 

Give Kids The World is a 51-acre, non-profit resort for children with life-threatening illnesses whose one wish is to visit central Florida's best loved attractions. Through charitable giving and donations of trips to Disney theme parks, The Walt Disney Company helps Give Kids The World grant wishes to terminally ill children.  Give Kids The World Founder and President Henri Landwirth says the Village would not exist without the dedication of the "Angel" volunteers."They are the pulse and the heart of Give Kids The World and have been an integral part of the Village since its inception in 1986," Landwirth says. Volunteers are everywhere at Give Kids The World, performing many essential tasks, both interacting with the guests and behind the scenes. In addition to the many services performed at the Village, many individuals give time and efforts through other channels.

In addition to extending its compassion to children with life-threatening conditions, DisneyHand sponsors the National Cardiovascular Research Initiative, a program developed by the Entertainment Industry Foundation to help prevent cardiovascular disease.

Providing assistance for the relief efforts in the wake of the September 11^th attacks is another type of compassion program that DisneyHand supports.   The Walt Disney Company and Walt Disney employees showed their compassion for those affected by the events of September 11^th through a range of activities, from creation of the DisneyHand: Survivor Relief Fund, which donated $5 million dollars to relief, to the implementation of several special programs for military families.  During the multi-network broadcast on September 21, 2001, to benefit victims of the terrorist attacks, numerous Walt Disney World cast members helped out by handling calls from people wishing to donate money to the September 11 Telethon Fund.  The employees used the Walt Disney World reservation system to handle incoming calls.  Additionally, The Walt Disney Company and Walt Disney employees continue to support the military at home and abroad.  For instance, through Operation Uplift Disney employees send messages of encouragement and support to U.S. servicemen and women.

Other programs that DisneyHand supports include the newly launched Disney Adventures All-Stars contest.  Disney Adventures magazine is running the contest, which encourages  and recognizes all children who make the world a better place through volunteerism and helping their communities.  Participants who want to enter the Disney Adventures All-Stars contest can register as an individual, family or group when they sign up to do volunteer projects.  Participants must complete a volunteer project and submit an essay to Disney Adventures magazine.

To learn more about DisneyHand and its programs, please visit www.disneyhand.com.