NEWS: Disney and National Geographic Have Teamed Up for an AWESOME Cause

Disney has been on a roll with charitable contributions and the donations have continued as we get later into 2023.

‘National Geographic’ Photo Spot

In partnership with National Geographic, Disney donated over 40,000 National Geographic Kids’ STEM items to children’s hospitals and pediatric care centers nationwide! We’ll tell you what that means and how Disney and National Geographic continue to help children in need.

STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math, and this National Geographic collection includes activity kits, toys, and books that are meant to further the scientific and mathematical development of children. Disney and National Geographic made this donation through the Starlight Children’s Foundation, an organization Disney has worked with for over 20 years to bring happiness and inspiration to children in pediatric care in the United States.

Bringing joy! 🌱 🔬 📚 @Disney and @NatGeo recently donated over 40,000 STEM-focused activity kits, toys and books through Starlight Children's Foundation to help deliver happiness to children’s hospitals nationwide: https://t.co/UUPZIMl9iq pic.twitter.com/KC4T3ryEZy

— Disney Parks (@DisneyParks) October 6, 2023

Patients at Children’s National Hospital in Washington D.C. were recently invited to a special event with their families to celebrate the first hospital delivery where they were able to play with toys and read books focused on expanding the interest of exploration.

Dr. Vernard Hodges, star of National Geographic’s Critter Fixers: Country Vets, also made an appearance at the event. He shared his experience of becoming a veterinarian and brought along some therapy dogs to demonstrate how veterinarians examine animals. “To see those smiles, and to see those kids just brighten up when they saw me, brighten up when they got their gifts, brighten up when they saw those animals — I mean, that made my day,” said Dr. Hodges.

©Disney

Senior Director at Starlight Children’s Foundation, Christine Soldner lauded the donation, saying, “We’re incredibly grateful to Disney and Children’s National Hospital for their continued support in helping us bring our mission to life through this National Geographic-themed event.” Kathy Gorman, Executive V.P. for Patient Care Services and Chief Operating Officer of Children’s National Hospital added that play and engagement tools can help ease the stress of serious illnesses and hospitalization by healing the mind and spirit in addition to the body.

Disney will continue to support the Starlight Children’s Foundation by donating Halloween-themed toys, costumes, books, and wheelchair wraps to children’s hospitals and pediatric care centers this month and has already committed $100 million in reimagining the “patient experience in children’s hospitals.”

©Disney

We love reporting stories about Disney contributing to great causes and will continue to bring you all the latest on Disney’s philanthropic efforts and events here at DFB!

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What is your favorite National Geographic Kids STEM item? Let us know!