Disney reaches out to help victims of Hurricane Michael<//h3>
The Walt Disney Company donated $1 million to the Florida Disaster Fund, which is run by the Volunteer Florida Foundation, to help the Panhandle and the Big Bend recover from Hurricane Michael.
Gov. Rick Scott and Volunteer Florida made the announcement of the donation to the fund on Saturday.
“We are extremely thankful for Walt Disney Company’s support of the Florida Disaster Fund. This funding will support disaster response and recovery efforts and help Floridians affected by Hurricane Michael. This funding will go directly towards relief efforts in areas impacted by Hurricane Michael,” Scott said.
David Mica Jr., the CEO of Volunteer Florida, also weighed in on the donation.
“Right now, so many people are watching the news, seeing the devastation caused by Hurricane Michael and asking what they can do. This is what they can do – donate to the Florida Disaster Fund and provide both immediate relief and long-term recovery for their friends, neighbors and affected Floridians,” Mica said.
Walt Disney Company CEO Robert Iger explained why his company made the donation.
“All of us here at Disney have the families and communities impacted by this powerful storm in our hearts. Florida has been our home for almost 50 years, and our contribution will support our neighbors as they rebuild their communities in the wake of this powerful storm,” Iger said.
“The Florida Disaster Fund is the State of Florida’s official private fund established to assist Florida’s communities as they respond to and recover during times of emergency or disaster. In partnership with the public sector, private sector and other non-governmental organizations, the Florida Disaster Fund supports response and recovery activities,” the governor’s office noted.
The Walt Disney Corporation is one of the largest employers in the Sunshine State with more than 60,000 Florida residents employed by Disney in Central Florida.