In honor of International Friendship Day, Disney has named the first winners of the Disney Magic Makers contest, according to the Disney Parks Blog.
- Marla Zwinggi, of Chagrin Falls, OH, and Stacey Bene, of Medina, OH were named the first ever Disney Magic Makers.
- Before they met, Marla and Stacey had both discovered that elderly and at-risk members of their community were struggling to gain access to vaccines due to vaccination appointments only being made available online.
- After making appointments for her parents, Marla began making vaccination appointments for her best friends’ parents and from there, her actions began to snowball until one day she had scheduled appointments for 200 adults.
- When Stacey’s mom saw Maria being celebrated on the local news, she immediately let her daughter, who was doing the same thing, know about Maria’s good deeds.
- Stacey reached out to Marla on Facebook and offered to help and the two began working together virtually.
- After working together, they became friends and became known locally as the “VacQueens.”
- Eventually, the National Guard reached out to them and helped them to expand their efforts and notified the duo of any unused vaccines.
- Together, Maria and Stacey have secured vaccination appointments for over 2,300 adults in their community.
- Maria and Stacey have earned the title of “Disney Magic Makers” and will receive a trip to Walt Disney World to celebrate the 50th anniversary as well as a one year subscription to Disney+.
- To nominate the best friend in your life who’s made a positive contribution to their community, visit DisneyMagicMakers.com.
About Disney Magic Makers:
- Disney Magic Makers was announced as part of Walt Disney World’s 50th-anniversary celebration, honoring 50 individuals around the United States for making a positive impact on their community with a trip to the Walt Disney World Resort and a one-year subscription to Disney+.
- From now through October 1, 2021, any U.S. resident over 18 can nominate a person who inspires them for “Disney Magic Makers.”
- Nominations can be made by visiting DisneyMagicMakers.com. Disney is encouraging others to celebrate their hometown heroes with social media posts using #DisneyMagicMakers on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, or TikTok.
- Disney will also be donating a total of $400,000 to four non-profits: Make-A-Wish, Starlight Children’s Foundation, Boys & Girls Clubs of America, and The Nature Conservancy. Each showed innovative ways to continue serving their communities during the pandemic.