This week at Boys & Girls Clubs in Los Angeles, Disney helped to bring a bit of happiness and sense of normalcy to children impacted by the devastating wildfires in the region with private screenings of the box office hit Mufasa: The Lion King.
“When the team proposed the idea of hosting these screenings for kids who have been impacted by the fires, it was an instant yes — followed by the question, ‘And what more can we do?’” shared Cathleen Taff, President, Production Services, Franchise Management & Theatrical Distribution, Disney Entertainment, Studios. “We know the joy and comfort a Disney movie can bring to a child and their family, and we’re honored to provide that sense of happiness and escape for these kids.”
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Pasadena and Santa Monica — longtime collaborators with Disney and chapters where movie parties were hosted this week — have been serving kids whose families lost their homes, are displaced, or are otherwise impacted by the fires. That includes serving families from the Boys & Girls Club of Malibu, which is currently inoperable due to the fires. With many impacted kids having been out of school for weeks, the Pasadena club has also opened its space to establish a temporary school and help kids get back to learning.
Brynja Seagren, CEO, Boys & Girls Club of Santa Monica noted, “Throughout this crisis, we’ve focused on continuing to provide access to safe, supportive spaces for kids and we are grateful to Disney for bringing some magic right to our Clubs. They created an on-site movie theater experience featuring themed treats and swag that brought huge smiles to our kids’ faces as they experienced the story of Disney characters they know and love.”
Some of those snacks and fun giveaways included Mufasa tumblers, friendship bracelets, and Mickey Mouse rice krispy treats. The goodies were accompanied by a surprise visit from Mickey Mouse himself, whose appearance in Pasadena was met with excitement from kids — and Boys & Girls Club staff — as he welcomed them with high fives. The young audience members also quizzed their celebrity visitor on whether or not he’d seen the film — he had.
The kids even became active participants in the screening, as they happily sang along to Mufasa’s catchy soundtrack.
“During difficult times like these, we know that Disney is uniquely positioned to bring a sense of normalcy and happiness to kids when it’s needed the most,” Lisa Haines, senior vice president, Disney Corporate Social Responsibility, shared. “These movie parties are one piece of our efforts to lift up the kids and their families that have been affected by these fires.”
This week’s special Mufasa screenings also came together thanks to community efforts, including from Sweetwater, a local business that donated the screening technology to turn the Boys & Girls Club gyms into on-site cinemas.
“Over 70 Club families have lost their homes, and dozens more are displaced,” Lisa Cavelier, CEO, Boys & Girls Club of Pasadena, said. “We are honored that Disney is working with us to meet some of the challenges facing our families by bringing much-needed joy and fun to Pasadena and Altadena kids.”
For more than 50 years, Disney has supported our local Boys & Girls Clubs. Walt Disney himself was an honorary Boys & Girls Clubs board member because he believed in their mission to help young people realize their dreams. Disney’s commitment to inspire kids to pursue their dreams continues today.
Local Boys & Girls Clubs also received funding as part of Disney’s $15 million for initial and immediate response and rebuilding efforts in the face of the devastating Los Angeles area fires. Additional Disney relief efforts include opening the wardrobe warehouse to affected employees and housing more than 100 displaced employees at Disneyland hotels, as well as company donation drives to collect and pack hygiene items, comfort kits, games and toys for numerous local non-profits, community screenings at the El Capitan in Hollywood for those displaced, and fundraising efforts across ABC news under the SoCal Strong banner which have raised nearly $10 million for relief efforts.
For more information about the company’s social responsibility efforts, visit impact.disney.com.
Photo Credit on Top Image: Haven Captures