Books have a remarkable way of expanding the imagination and igniting a lifelong love of learning. The magic of reading can inspire people to dream big, build their talents and skills, and become who they imagine they can be.
To nurture early readers, Disney collaborated with nonprofit First Book, Disney Publishing author Ryan March and thousands of Disney fans who became honorary Disney VoluntEARS, to assemble roughly 7,000 literacy kits at D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event. These kits, which include Disney books, pencils, notebooks and other essential supplies, are now being distributed to under-resourced schools in Glendale, Burbank and Anaheim.
For March, the author of Camp Mickey and Minnie: One Wild Summer, reading is more than a pastime—it’s the touchstone that sparked his curiosity and fueled his passion for writing. This profound, personal connection inspired March to “VoluntEAR” and share his deep love of reading with children in need.
“As a new author, and a dad who counts bedtime stories with my little girl as one of the most important parts of my day, I’m honored to be able to help share the magic of reading and support Disney and First Book in removing barriers for the next generation of storytellers,” March reflected.
The kitting event was held in collaboration with First Book, a nonprofit dedicated to educational equity that provides free and affordable new books and resources to educators serving children in under-resourced communities.
“Through the magic of books and storytelling, Disney is committed to helping today’s youth dream about their future. We’re proud to work alongside great organizations like First Book as part of Disney Future Storytellers – our commitment to inspiring the next generation of storytellers and innovators,” Lisa Haines, SVP, Corporate Social Responsibility, The Walt Disney Company, said.
The organization aims to ensure that every child, regardless of their background or zip code, has the opportunity to succeed.
“Books offer so many benefits for children, influencing everything from overall well-being to academic performance. However, too many children don’t have access to the resources essential for learning and thriving,” Dana Bond, Executive Vice President, Strategic Alliances, First Book, explained.
For more than 23 years, Disney has played a crucial role in supporting First Book and its network of educators and students in underserved communities. As part of this longstanding relationship—which began in 2000—the company has donated millions of books, along with financial contributions, assistance from Disney VoluntEARS and access to skilled Disney experts to help advance First Book’s important mission.
“It’s critically important that every child has an opportunity to read, to connect with stories and to develop their imagination,” March shared. “I hope these efforts connect kids to reading, and who knows, maybe some of these kids will grow up to tell stories of their own.”
By collaborating with organizations like First Book, Disney is creating opportunities that foster development for future generations.
To learn more, visit Impact.Disney.com.