At Disney, giving is at the heart of what we do — from delivering moments of comfort and joy to children’s hospitals to donating toys to kids in need in collaboration with Toys for Tots. While we’re committed to supporting communities in need all throughout the year, we’re also proud to bring Disney Holiday Magic to those who need it most during the holiday season.
Did you know that Disney’s relationship with Toys for Tots began almost 80 years ago? An enduring legacy that began nationally in 1948 and continues today as Disney helps bring toys, joy, and holiday magic to millions of children in need during the holidays.
Honoring Service through Art
During World War II, The Walt Disney Studios played a unique role in supporting the war effort in several ways including creating military films and designing more than 1,200 custom unit insignia for U.S. Armed Forces and related auxiliary groups. These designs — featuring characters like the U.S. Navy’s ‘Seabee,’ and later, the U.S. Army’s ‘Rocky the Bulldog’ — became cherished symbols of pride and connection for troops serving at home and abroad.
But one of Walt Disney’s most enduring contributions came about after Marine Corps Reserve Major Bill Hendricks, envisioned a program dedicated to bringing joy to children in need through the donation of toys. Walt responded with creativity and heart, sparking a nearly 80-year collaboration between The Walt Disney Company and Toys for Tots.
A Train of Generosity
Founded in 1947 in Los Angeles, Toys for Tots began as a local initiative to bring holiday joy to children in need. In 1948, the program was formalized and expanded into a national community action project, and Walt Disney assigned his studio artists to create designs that would help drive awareness for the campaign. Over the years, this would include the now-iconic red cartoon train logo, which remains the symbol of the program today.
Disney artists also created national campaign posters for Toys for Tots, and over the years, these annual Christmas posters have featured beloved characters like Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck and others, helping to spread the message of giving across generations.
As noted in the 2018 Disney Editions book From All of Us to All of You by author and historian Jeff Kurtti, “Throughout the years, Walt continued to support Toys for Tots, participating in public service advertising and helping the message of giving reach millions of U.S. citizens.”
Full Steam Ahead: A Tradition That Keeps on Track
Today, Disney continues to support Toys for Tots as part of its beloved holiday traditions, most notably through the Disney Ultimate Toy Drive. This initiative is dedicated to creating moments of happiness and joy for children and families in need during the holiday season.
Last year, over 500,000 toys were collected for donation around the world, with more than 400,000 toys going to the Marine Toys for Tots Program in the U.S. Thousands of employees and cast members spent more than 3,000 hours supporting the Disney Ultimate Toy Drive through Disney VoluntEARS, Disney’s employee volunteerism program.
This year, as part of the celebration, Disney is embarking on a Holiday Magic Tour across the country and around the world, spreading cheer through community events, donations, and moments of joy that make the season brighter for children and families everywhere.
You can make someone’s holiday magic and give the gift of giving! Join this year’s Disney Ultimate Toy Drive and donate a toy to Toys for Tots through December 24, 2025, or in person at Disney Stores, the Disneyland Resort or Walt Disney World Resort from now through December 14, 2025.
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Giving is part of who we are at Disney, and we’re thrilled to continue giving back to our local communities in new and meaningful ways. To learn more, visit Disney.com/HolidayMagic.