Bowling. Summer camp. Cheer and sports squads. For separated brothers and sisters living in foster homes, the wish of doing these activities together often can feel like a pipe dream. Sometimes young siblings must overcome challenges and barriers to stay connected as they grow up to stay close to a protective big brother or baby sister while living with a foster family.
Based on the votes of Cast Members, Walt Disney World Resort recently donated $33,000 to Community Based Care of Central Florida (CBCCF), a nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting the welfare of children in the region. The donation reflects all of the coins that have been tossed into the wishing wells and fountains by Guests across Walt Disney World Resort. The gift will be directed to a sibling support program that hosts fun and safe activities for family members in foster care to reconnect with each other.
“These funds open up new possibilities to expand what we know to be critically important connections we must nurture for the future success of our youth,” said Maureen Brockman, vice president of Community Based Care Foundation.
Currently, approximately 3,000 children are in Central Florida’s foster care system.
“When possible, we place siblings together and close to their home community – same schools, friends, what they are familiar with,” said Nicola Bailey, executive director of the CBCCF Orange County Service Center. “When it’s not possible, we do events so children can enjoy having fun time just to be kids.”
Besides these Cast-directed funds, Disney is helping to raise support and awareness for foster care and adoption nationally with public service announcements, collaborations with other organizations and more.
“Disney believes in the promise of foster youth and the important role guidance and support of family members, mentors, friends, teachers and foster parents can play in helping them succeed,” said Betty Lowery, Walt Disney World manager of Corporate Citizenship. “Providing this investment to enhance the time siblings have together acknowledges our belief that all children have the same hopes, dreams and potential to succeed.”
For more than a decade, Walt Disney World Resort has donated the money from the wishing wells and fountains to children’s charities in Central Florida.