END OF SUMMER BLOCK PARTY MEANS BACK-TO-SCHOOL BACKPACKS FOR NEEDY CHILDREN AT THE LOS ANGELES MISSION
Disney Donates $10,000, Backpacks, School Supplies & VoluntEAR Support to Benefit the Children of Hope Central; Mickey Mouse stopped by for a Surprise Visit
September 10, 2005 (Los Angeles, CA) --- A few thousand excited children and family members, along with beloved Disney characters, took over the street in front of the Los Angeles Mission Saturday for the Mission�s 4th Annual End of Summer Block Party. Disney, the official sponsor of the event, presented a $10,000 check to the Los Angeles Mission and made sure that the nearly 1,000 needy school aged children in attendance received a backpack stuffed with school supplies courtesy of Disney VoluntEARS.
The End of Summer Block Party provides a safe place for the children of Hope Central to come and spend some time away from the harsh streets, experience a day to simply be a kid while receiving necessary back-to-school supplies. Many of the backpacks were received by students of the 9th St. Elementary School, part of the Los Angeles Unified School District.
The End of Summer Block Party becomes even more important each year as the number of needy and homeless families continues to increase in Los Angeles. One of the biggest problems disadvantaged families face is the back-to-school time period, particularly if they do not have a permanent address. School supplies may also cost a family $30 to $50 per child, which can be a challenge for a family struggling to find shelter and nourishment.
�As always, the folks from Disney put their hearts into the End of Summer Block Party to make it as special as possible for those served by the Los Angeles Mission,� said Marshall McNott, president of the Mission. �Between the company�s generous cash donation combined with the much-needed backpacks and school supplies, it�s evident that Disney is a company that cares for children in this community.�
Added Erikk Aldridge, director of Community Relations for Disney Worldwide Outreach: �Disney is truly honored to come alongside the Los Angeles Mission to present the End of Summer Block Party which focuses on children and families during a special time of need � the back-to-school time period. Beyond our corporate donation of $10,000, our Disney VoluntEARS in donating these backpacks and supplies also truly show that their hearts are in the community.�
Mickey Mouse and his friends were on hand to meet and take photos with children. In addition, Disney provided entertainment in form of the Francis Awe Nigerian Talking Drum Ensemble and The Mariachi Plata Band. Disney VoluntEARS also manned special event booths that included the Mickey Bean Bag and Puma Ring Tail Toss, Goofy Golf and a �Disney Reading Together with Belle� location.
On hand to make a difference, celebrities and others donating their time operated other booths that included a basketball hoop, face painting and a huge inflatable slide (see attached list for celebrities who participated). Some served hot dogs and, as a special treat, In-N-Out Burger brought its mobile kitchen to provide food, while The Los Angeles Mission kitchen served favorite summer foods and ice cream sundaes to the crowd.
Also available to give children exactly what they need to start the school year off right, The Los Angeles Mission Community Clinic�s Docs 2 Kids pediatric care program provided free dental screening and Rite Aid supplied dental hygiene kits for ongoing care. For those in attendance with babies, Nestle was on hand to provide baby formula. The Anne Douglas Center for women at the Los Angeles Mission informed families of additional services available at its location. Other needed corporate funding for the event came from U. S. Bank. The Hyatt Hotel provided giant cookies for kids and adults.
�We are blessed by the donations from all of the companies who helped put this event on,� said McNott. �Without them stepping forward with monetary and material donations, we wouldn�t be able to serve the families who came today.�
For over 50 years, the Los Angeles Mission has served the people of Hope Central (known as Skid Row), providing emergency services such as shelter, food, clothing, as well as professional medical and dental services. In addition, the Los Angeles Mission also offers long-term residential rehabilitation programs through its Urban Training Institute, including education, job training, transitional housing and counseling.
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