Disney Children’s Fund announces second year of recipients Nine charities share a total of HK$1 million in funding to launch creative programs

(September 13, 2009－Hong Kong) The Disney Children’s Fund (DCF) today held a ceremony at Hong Kong Disneyland Resort to announce the nine charities that will share HK$1 million in funding to launch a number of creative programs. The programs aim to nurture children’s characters and strengthen parent and child relationships. This is the second year that the fund has supported local charities.

Sponsored projects cover various activities related to children's development, including dancing classes for children and their visually impaired parents, training in photography for physically-challenged children, journalism classes for children to learn more about their parents through interviews, magician classes to raise children’s confidence and tour guide training. Other programs include Chinese language training for children from ethnic minorities to help them integrate into the community, graffiti art lessons for teenagers that encourage them to live positively and a “green chef” course to educate children on the importance of a balanced diet and environmental protection.

The judging panel of DCF included seven judges this year. One of the judges, the Honorable Cheng Yiu-tong, a member of the Executive Council, was impressed with the high quality of the proposals. He said, “The DCF received over 60 proposals this year, 80 per cent more than last year. We were impressed by the many creative ideas from both established and newer charities. The nine DCF recipient projects stand out because their creative concepts provide opportunities for children to develop positively by participating in programs that are both stimulating and fun.”

Andrew Kam, Managing Director of Hong Kong Disneyland Resort added, “We are pleased to see the DCF making a difference in the lives of children in need. It is also great to be able to contribute to the development of local children through the DCF recipient programs. I hope that these innovative programs will play a part in nurturing the children of Hong Kong.”

About Disney’s Worldwide Outreach
Disney brightens the lives of children in need around the world through global outreach programs, local community initiatives and the Disney VoluntEARS program. Last year, Disney donated more than $209 million in cash and in-kind support to various charities around the world and Disney VoluntEARS have donated more than 495,000 hours of service. The Disney VoluntEARS program provides opportunities for Disney employees to contribute their time and expertise towards making a positive impact in the communities they serve around the world. For more information on Disney’s outreach efforts, please visit www.DisneyOutreach.com.

About Hong Kong Disneyland Resort
Hong Kong Disneyland Resort offers immersive, unique Disney experiences for all families, generations and ages to enjoy. Hong Kong is one of only five locations in the world that is home to a Disney themed park and the many Disney characters that are beloved the world over, such as Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Stitch and Buzz Lightyear. Since the Resort was opened in September 2005, it has received over 17 million guests from around the globe. Through the unique product offering and the world-class service provided by the 5,000-strong Cast at the theme park and the two hotels, the Resort has received outstanding guest satisfaction ratings and a range of awards from the hospitality and entertainment sectors.
Hong Kong Disneyland is dedicated to serving Hong Kong people through a wide spectrum of community services programs from helping those in need to encouraging the protection of the environment in the region.