Disneyland and Disney World Costumers Donate Their Time and Talents to Make Holiday Magic
The Walt Disney Company is committed to spreading a little Christmas magic this holiday season through the Disney Ultimate Toy Drive.
To bring happiness and comfort to children in need, Cast Members at Disneyland and Walt Disney World have volunteered their time and talents to help create and donate bespoke bears.
For years now, Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World costumers, seamstresses, and seamsters have used their unique skills to create hand-sewn bespoke bears. Each bear is one-of-a-kind, with an outfit designed by a Cast Member.
Photo: Disney
In addition to spreading holiday cheer to children around the country, the bespoke bears and their creative ensembles are made from new, unused fur and fabric scraps from the costume workroom. By utilizing these materials, Disney keeps pounds of textiles out of landfills.
Introducing Walter Joshua Stripes III
One of this year’s bespoke bears, Walter Joshua Stripes III, starred in this year’s Disney Ultimate Toy Drive Public Service Announcement (PSA). The commercial supports Toys for Tots and helps raise awareness.
Photo: Disney
Walter was named after Walt Disney, a major supporter of Toys for Tots. His surname comes from SgtMaj Minter, a 20+ year Marine who is featured in the PSA. Soon, Walter and his fellow plush bears will find their forever homes through Toys for Tots efforts.
Toys for tots
“To know that somewhere out there, there’s a child who gets to love and play with something that you helped create…is really special,” says Lisa Romero, Workroom Manager, Production and Sustainment at Disneyland Resort, who also was one of the first to participate in the bespoke bear initiative in 2019.
The Power of a Toy
According to Cynthia Assad, Workroom Manager, Production and Sustainment at Disneyland Resort, who volunteered her time to sew bears, the power of a toy is “the joy that it brings, especially to see things through a child’s eyes; this is what makes them happy.”
Photo: Disney
That is the hope of all who help bring bespoke bears to life.
Friendly Competition
Maureen Townsend, manager of costume Production and Sustainment at Disneyland Resort, helped launch the bespoke bear initiative. Now, she and her workroom team continue improving the process and creating even more bears yearly.
To this end, costumers at Disneyland and Walt Disney World participate in a friendly competition to see who can make more bears!
Photo: Also Disney
“It is truly an honor to participate in this wonderful campaign. Being able to showcase the talent and generosity of the workroom team only adds to the pleasure of spreading joy to children at the holidays. Many of us had fond memories of our favorite stuffed toy as a child. Being able to put new toys in the arms of children is the best reward,” said Maureen.
To learn more about the Disney Ultimate Toy Drive, visit Disney.com/ToyDrive.
Photo: Also Disney
