Cast Members at Walt Disney World take a lot of pride in calling Central Florida our home, and for nearly five decades, we’ve brought the magic found in our parks out into the community by supporting local nonprofits who are inspiring lasting and impactful change.
Each year, we invest in the unique and creative projects these nonprofits offer, and over the next few weeks, we will be going out into the Central Florida community to reveal and celebrate this year’s 2019 Disney Grants recipients! Investing in the community that’s near and dear to our hearts is the driving force behind Walt Disney World’s signature giving program, Disney Grants.
This week, we presented McCormick Research Institute—a local nonprofit providing life-changing equine-therapy to veterans and individuals with special needs—with a $75,000 Disney Grant to help support their Heavenly Hooves and Horses & Heroes programs in Osceola County. These programs empower local residents through compassion and therapy and help provide the emotional and physical stability they need to continue healing and be the best version of themselves. The $75,000 Disney Grant will also help support the organization’s ongoing research to improve social functioning, self-regulating behaviors, and language and motor skills for veterans and children with cognitive disabilities.
To celebrate the impact of this exceptional organization, Walt Disney World Resort joined veterans and families at the ranch to meet the team that makes it all possible. Walt Disney World’s active duty military and veteran employee group—SALUTE—even had to chance to watch McCormick Research Institute’s Veteran Drill Team cadence riding routine and share experiences as current and former service members.
Watch the video below to learn more about McCormick Research Institute’s impact in Osceola County and join us in the special moment they were #GrantedByDisney.
Stay tuned to learn more about all nine 2019 Disney Grant recipients!