Today, Disney announced Avengers Universe Unites, an epic charity event that supports The Walt Disney Company’s signature philanthropic commitment, Disney Team of Heroes, which delivers comfort and inspiration to seriously ill children around the world. Actors Robert Downey Jr., Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson, Jeremy Renner, Paul Rudd and Brie Larson—stars of Avengers: Endgame—visited the Disneyland Resort to celebrate the donation of more than $5 million to nonprofits supporting children with critical illnesses.
In celebration of Marvel Studios’ highly anticipated film, Disney, the LEGO Group, Hasbro, Funko and Amazon will donate more than $5 million in cash and toys to Starlight Foundation, which will benefit children’s hospitals across the U.S. The donation includes $1 million in cash from Disney to Starlight Children’s Foundation, as well as more than $4 million in Avengers: Endgame toys and products from the LEGO Group, Hasbro, Funko and Amazon that will be sent to hundreds of children’s hospitals throughout the country, as well as Give Kids the World, a nonprofit resort in central Florida.
“The superheroes in Avengers personify traits like courage, perseverance, bravery and hope—the same traits countless kids and their families in children’s hospitals exhibit every day,” said Robert A. Iger, chairman and CEO of The Walt Disney Company, who joined the kickoff celebration. “We are grateful to have the Avengers cast take time out of their day to be a part of this effort to lift spirits and bring comfort to children during a difficult time.”
During today’s celebration, the Avengers: Endgame stars joined kids from the Boys & Girls Clubs of Anaheim and Garden Grove for a larger-than-life LEGO® build at The LEGO Store in Downtown Disney and were treated to a visit by Amazon’s Treasure Truck stocked with a variety of Avengers: Endgame toys.
“Nobody understands magical experiences better than Disney, and we’ve been proud to partner with them in bringing those experiences to kids in children’s hospitals for more than 20 years,” says Adam Garone, CEO, Starlight Children’s Foundation. “From delivering hospital care packages, to storytelling through Starlight Xperience virtual reality, to our recent Disney-themed Starlight Gowns, millions of seriously ill children have benefited from our amazing relationship together. And with this donation, even more kids will get to experience the magic of Disney.”