Disneyland Resort Awards Over $400,000 to Dozens of Orange County Organizations
October 27 2003 - 6:09PM
PR Newswire (US)
Disneyland Resort Awards Over $400,000 to Dozens of Orange County
Organizations ANAHEIM, Calif., Oct. 27 /PRNewswire/ -- Full of fun
and with festive fanfare, a team from the Disneyland Resort knocked
on the doors of several Orange County organizations, making
surprise contributions ranging from $7,000 to $50,000. It was all
part of the Resort's "Magic Carpet Ride" tour of Orange County, a
unique way to recognize 39 local organizations by presenting them
with $430,000 in grants. The event marks the 46th year the Resort
has held its Community Service Awards. Over $8 million has been
presented to thousands of organizations since Walt Disney founded
the awards in 1957. "Each organization is incredibly deserving of
this recognition for their tireless efforts to make a difference in
Orange County," said Matt Ouimet, Disneyland Resort President. "On
behalf of our Cast Members, I applaud their inspirational
dedication to serving those in need." The Magic Carpet Ride tour
marks a new way of presenting the awards, previously distributed
during a formal ceremony at the Resort. Not only did each
organization not know the amount they would receive, but they were
also surprised by the appearance of Disney characters and community
leaders such as Orange County Sheriff Mike Carona and Orange County
Superintendent of Schools Bill Habermehl, who helped hand out the
checks. "By visiting the organizations' headquarters, we were able
to shine the spotlight on the valuable contributions of their
teams," said Carona. "It was an exciting way to give thanks to the
men and women who selflessly devote themselves to these very
important causes. " Each year, a distinguished cross-section of
business and community leaders from across Orange County are
selected to serve on the Community Service Awards Committee. This
year, Sheriff Carona and Superintendent Habermehl shared judging
duties with: Jerry Mandel, President, Orange County Performing Arts
Center; Bruno Serato, Owner, Anaheim White House Restaurant;
Elizabeth Tierney, Philanthropist and Community Leader; and student
judge Christine Ricohermoso, Anaheim Union High School District.
Award Recipients The Community Service Awards grants included one
$50,000 Outstanding Award, one $26,000 Jack B. Lindquist Award,
three $20,000 Special Judges Awards, eight $12,000 Leadership
Awards, and twenty-four $7,000 Category Awards. The award
recipients represent organizations in the categories of Cultural
Arts, Youth, Health, Education, Civic Community Service, Service by
or for Senior Citizens, Social Community Services and Environment
and Conservation. The Outstanding Award was presented to the
organization which, in the opinion of the Awards Committee, carried
out the most exceptional and productive community service program
during 2002. This year, the award went to Human Options, an
Irvine-based group that meets the special needs of senior victims
of domestic violence (both male and female) and helps them break
the cycle of abuse. The $26,000 Jack B. Lindquist Award, presented
to the organization providing the most innovative program of
service to the community, went to STOP-GAP, Santa Ana, which puts
on performances for at-risk youth to explore issues such as
substance abuse prevention and conflict resolution. Organizations
receiving Special Judges Awards of $20,000 each were: Paint Your
Heart Out Anaheim, a group that refurbishes homes for low-income
seniors and disabled homeowners; the Kiwanis Club of Greater
Anaheim, which provides financial aid to students to attend
leadership training seminars and conferences to develop community
leaders, problem solvers; and Disney GOALS, Anaheim, a program that
combines after school team-oriented athletic and academic sessions
to build children's self-esteem. Homework House, Orange, won a
$15,000 Tribute Award in the Education category for its tutoring
and mentoring programs. In the social category, Costa Mesa-based
Parent Help USA received a Tribute Award to continue their focus on
the family as they fund Peaceful Parenting classes and family
crisis prevention services. Leadership Awards were presented to
organizations deserving special recognition for achievements in
their specific category. ArtsBridge, UCI (cultural arts); Boys Hope
Girls Hope of Southern California, Garden Grove (youth); Orange
County Burn Association, Orange (health); Anaheim Public Library
Foundation (education); and Leadership Anaheim (civic). The
following organizations will be visited by the Magic Carpet Ride on
October 30 and 31 to be presented with their Community Service
Awards: -- American Red Cross, Orange County Chapter, Santa Ana --
Anaheim Senior Olympics Event -- Anti-Defamation League, Costa Mesa
-- Canyon Acres Children's Services, Anaheim Hills -- Casa Youth
Shelter, Los Alamitos -- Cherish the Children, Tustin -- Dana Sharp
Memorial Music Fund, Santa Ana -- The Eli Home, Anaheim -- Family
Assessment Counseling & Educational Services, Fullerton -- FISH
Harbor Area, Inc., Newport Beach -- Friends of the Sea Lion Marine
Mammal Center, Laguna Beach -- Fullerton Interfaith Emergency
Services, Inc. -- Hispanic Ministry Center Kidsworks, Santa Ana --
"In His Hands" Ministry, Buena Park -- "Kids for Parks" Program,
Anaheim -- KidSingers, Anaheim -- Neighborhood Housing Services of
Orange County, Inc., Anaheim -- Orange County Conservation Corps,
Anaheim -- Project Cuddle, Costa Mesa -- Providence Speech and
Hearing, Orange -- Rebuilding Together Orange County, Tustin --
Saint Joseph Ballet, Santa Ana. -- Sally's Fund, Laguna Beach --
Second Chance Pet Adoptions, Westminster -- The Sheepfold, Inc.,
Orange -- Toby's House, Mission Viejo -- Trails4All, Santa Ana
Award Background The Disneyland Community Service Awards were
founded in 1957 by Walt Disney himself, who recognized the
importance of valuing selfless works and unparalleled dedication to
making a difference in the quality of life in our community. To
qualify, organizations must be non-profit, tax-exempt or under an
umbrella-sponsored non-profit organization. Each applicant must
have its own governing body in Orange County and should provide
services or programs in Anaheim or Orange County. Applicants must
describe their annual community service highlights, the outcomes or
impacts of their programs related to the category they are applying
and how they would use the funds if selected. This year, for the
first time, the Resort held a well-received grant writing workshop
that provided assistance to over 230 representatives from a variety
of non-profit organizations. DATASOURCE: Disneyland Resort CONTACT:
Ruthie Flores, +1-714-781-1580, or Music McCall, +1-714-781-1787,
both of Disneyland Resort Media Relations
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