The Walt Disney Company Kicks Off Annual Disney Toy Delivery Program Supporting Children’s Hospitals Across the U.S. In Celebration of the Studio’s Upcoming Release “Toy Story 4”

BURBANK, Calif., June 10, 2019 /3BL Media/ – This past weekend, The Walt Disney Company kicked off its annual Disney Toy Delivery, a part of the Disney Team of Heroes philanthropic initiative, at AdventHealth for Children in Orlando, Florida. Tim Allen, the voice of Buzz Lightyear, and Tom Hanks, the voice of Woody, from the upcoming film Toy Story 4 were present and helped to bring some joy to the patients at AdventHealth for Children by distributing toys to kids and families. Patients also were pleasantly surprised with photo opportunities with Toy Story characters and toy giveaways.

Each toy delivery includes a pallet’s worth of toys, games, books and comics that hospitals use throughout the year to share with patients.  Products are specifically selected to be most beneficial in helping promote normalcy, reduce stress, and inspire play during what can be a difficult time for children. This year’s delivery will include new products from Toy Story 4, which is set to open in theaters on June 21.

“The Toy Story films celebrate the importance of toys in a child’s life – they are a source of comfort, joy and consistent companionship,” said Elissa Margolis, senior vice president, Enterprise Social Responsibility for The Walt Disney Company.  “By delivering toys to children’s hospitals across the country we hope to raise the spirits of children facing serious illness and make their hospital stay a bit more comfortable.”

Sending toy deliveries to hospitals has been a Disney tradition for nearly 15 years. With the help of the Association of Child Life Professionals and Starlight Children’s Foundation, Disney sends hospital care packages annually to 450 hospitals in the U.S. and Canada.  This year, as part of the Disney Team of Heroes Toy Delivery program, more than $3 million in Disney products will be delivered to children’s hospitals across the U.S.

“Children in the hospital, along with their families, are experiencing one of the most stressful times in their lives,” said Dr. Rajan Wadhawan, senior executive officer of AdventHealth for Children. “At AdventHealth we are focused on providing whole-person care, and our work with The Walt Disney Company allows us to bring our patients special experiences that are a welcome distraction from the physical illnesses they may be suffering from and also help to heal their spirit.”

The toy deliveries and the special visit to AdventHealth for Children by cast and characters from Toy Story 4 are all part of Disney Team of Heroes, the Disney philanthropic initiative focused on reimagining the patient and family experience in children’s hospitals across the globe.