Disney to give day pass for volunteer work

Disney launching "Give a day, get a day" promotion
posted by Jason Garcia on Sep 29, 2009 8:19:33 AM

After a year in which it let guests into its theme parks for free on their birthdays, the Walt Disney Co. will hand out more free tickets in 2010 — but only after making people earn them.

Disney on Tuesday launched a new promotional campaign, “Give a Day, Get a Disney Day,” under which it will distribute 1 million one-day, one-park tickets to people who volunteer at select charities.

With the program, which succeeds the company’s “Free on Your Birthday” campaign this year, Disney is continuing its strategy of using discounts to lure vacationers amid a challenging economic climate that is expected to stretch well into next year. But it also marrying the approach with a socially conscious message.

“The thrust of this program is really about inspiring people to consider and participate in volunteerism, with the hope that that will become a way of life for them,” said Jay Rasulo, chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts. “We think, in this case, that doing good for our communities is good business.”

Beginning Jan. 1, guests will be able to sign up for volunteer work through a Disney website. People will be able to choose from service opportunities provided by HandsOn Network, a sprawling volunteer network that links volunteers with more than 70,000 non-profits around the country.
read more here
Disney launching Give a day, get a day promotion