Give a Day Program

[sammielynn]

Anyone else sign-up for the Give a Day - Get a Day promotion? It took forever this morning, site was overloaded. I signed up for us to work in a Habitat Home Store. My DS18 worked in a Goodwill store all summer, this should be a piece of cake for him. I'm up for a free Disney day!

[fourfoxesinpa]

This morning, I spent a good deal of time looking at opportunities for our family. Since I have a 11 and 13 year old, the options are limited. Most had a minimum age of 15 in our area. We would need to travel to Philadelphia to volunteer and I'm not very excited about that. :( I'll keep checking back as they say opportunities will be added.

[iluvamystery89]

no opportunities within 50 miles of us :( oh well. we were seriously considering washington dc this year anyway.

[~Kathie]

I'm also waiting for more opportunities to be added in my area.

[lkat]

I just signed myself up to answer phones for our local PBS's pledge drive. There were actually a lot of opportunities in my area! Unfortunately, there weren't any that my children were old enough to help me with that were close enough, and my hubby's going to watch the kids while I do mine. He puts in tons of time with non-profits already, so don't know if he'll do this. But I was just planning on getting the fastpass option (which is for up to 5 people I think) anyway since we have multi-day tickets already! I'm looking forward to this!

[3dog2kidmom]

I signed all four of us up yesterday -- to make origami or tissue flowers or cards the afternoon of MLK day that will later be delivered to senior care centers. I think it will be fun and worthwhile, and it's not too far from our house.

[lkat]

I signed all four of us up yesterday -- to make origami or tissue flowers or cards the afternoon of MLK day that will later be delivered to senior care centers. I think it will be fun and worthwhile, and it's not too far from our house.

That sounds really nice! They didn't have ANYTHING like that around us, even though they had a lot listed. I was really disappointed that they didn't have anything within a 50 mile radius that my kids could do! But they do help me volunteer with other things...it just doesn't get us extra fastpasses ;)

eta: I just looked again for the fun of it and clicked on an opportunity that was about 40 miles away that had a min. age of 6. It's making blankets for sick children, but you can make them at home and then deliver them to the center...so I just signed the family up for that one! I'm so excited that there was one for all of us to do...I don't mind driving that to deliver them!

[bbangel]

Most of the opportunities near me are much more long term. Many of them are difficult to get to if you don't have a vehicle as well. I'm hoping they add more short term opportunities so that more people will get involved. I've indicated interest in one so I hope I qualify!

[3dog2kidmom]

eta: I just looked again for the fun of it and clicked on an opportunity that was about 40 miles away that had a min. age of 6. It's making blankets for sick children, but you can make them at home and then deliver them to the center...so I just signed the family up for that one! I'm so excited that there was one for all of us to do...I don't mind driving that to deliver them!

Oh that sounds great!

[Rhonda]

I signed up me my husband and my 8 year old son for a beach clean up day. My 5 year old won't be able to do it cuz you have to be 6. We've never been to DisneyLand. We would only go for the one day we got in for free. What do you guys think about that only going for a day? I know people go there for a few days at a time. That's all we would be able to afford. How could we see DisneyLand in a day?

[sammielynn]

We had to switch. Never got a call from the first place. We are now making blankets for Project Linus. Got the first blanket finished last night. Everything is a sheet of ice here so I think blankets 2 and 3 will happen today!

[sammielynn]

Blanket 2 finished!

[Leslie]

We had to switch. Never got a call from the first place. We are now making blankets for Project Linus. Got the first blanket finished last night. Everything is a sheet of ice here so I think blankets 2 and 3 will happen today!

I signed up to do the Project Linus make a blanket at home also. I am waiting to hear back from them. How quick did you hear a response?

[sammielynn]

I happen to know the coordinator for out area. I called her and we were signed up in no time.

[sammielynn]

Blanket 3 finished!
Leslie, look at the e-mail you got from helping hands. There was a phone number to call if you had not heard from the group, at least there was on mine.

[Leslie]

Blanket 3 finished!
Leslie, look at the e-mail you got from helping hands. There was a phone number to call if you had not heard from the group, at least there was on mine.

I did call and sent an email, but haven't heard back yet. :confused: Hopefully, I will hear something soon. I don't really want to start until I get the okay.

[schaery]

I signed up for marking the watershed areas (streams, ponds, ditches, etc) that lead into Dog River, which is a big recreational river in our area. People dump trash in these waterways all the time not realizing that it ends up in areas where people live, swim, boat, fish, etc. I signed up on Monday but haven't heard back from them yet. Not in a hurry, though, as it's much too cold to do anything outside now.

[Leslie]

I heard back from the coordinator so we will be making blankets for Project Linus. Time to go shopping because I have six blankets to make! :sunshine:

I am excited about this project because the blankets are donated to children going through a crisis in our community. They are donated through local hospitals as well as centers for abused and neglected children.

[bbangel]

My mom and I knit square for a blanket and sewed them together today. It looks so good I want to make another for myself :sunshine:

[sammielynn]

Got our e-mail today telling me to print out our ticket vouchers! Printing done!

[3dog2kidmom]

Got our e-mail today telling me to print out our ticket vouchers! Printing done!

OMG, Sammie -- that was fast!! And you made 3 blankets? Nice!!!

Our (half) day of service is Monday. We are making origami &/or tissue flowers and decorating cards for residents of senior care facilites. So excited!!

[fourfoxesinpa]

I just contacted our local Project Linus coordinator. Hoping I get the go-ahead from her and we'll work on these next weekend. One of the few opportunities that would allow DD, age 11, to help. We're excited to get started. :banana:

[sammielynn]

Good luck!

[ligrumpygirl]

I just contacted our local Project Linus coordinator. Hoping I get the go-ahead from her and we'll work on these next weekend. One of the few opportunities that would allow DD, age 11, to help. We're excited to get started. :banana:

The one by me wants SIX blankets per person. That is a lot of materials to purchase.

I will keep looking....

[sammielynn]

The one by me wants SIX blankets per person. That is a lot of materials to purchase.

I will keep looking....

Ouch. I paid around $50 for the material for the three we made. It was on sale at Joann.com so I got SR credit!

[fourfoxesinpa]

We're all set up. 1 blanket per person. I'm going buy fleece on Thursday and we'll make them this weekend. :clap:

[Leslie]

I have completed 4 of the 6 blankets for ours (2 per person). Going to try to finish them up this weekend. :sunshine:

[3dog2kidmom]

Our (half) day of service is Monday. We are making origami &/or tissue flowers and decorating cards for residents of senior care facilites. So excited!!

Well we did our service day today and had a wonderful time. The group of us (they were expecting 100 but not sure how many were actually in the room -- not that many) made well over 500 tissue flowers and over 500 valentines cards (their goal) that they are going to distribute later to senior centers and nursing homes. We also put together 3000 child ID kits for the police department to distribute to families.

We finished everything in about 2.5 hours, including a 20-minute or so break with supplied snacks. We were supposed to stay 4 hours but since we finished the project they let us go and said they'd verify the hours with Disney since we finished everything! It was a GREAT experience that has inspired us to look for other volunteer opportunities to participate in as a family. :D

[3dog2kidmom]

Well we did our service day today and had a wonderful time. The group of us (they were expecting 100 but not sure how many were actually in the room -- not that many) made well over 500 tissue flowers and over 500 valentines cards (their goal) that they are going to distribute later to senior centers and nursing homes. We also put together 3000 child ID kits for the police department to distribute to families.

We finished everything in about 2.5 hours, including a 20-minute or so break with supplied snacks. We were supposed to stay 4 hours but since we finished the project they let us go and said they'd verify the hours with Disney since we finished everything! It was a GREAT experience that has inspired us to look for other volunteer opportunities to participate in as a family. :D

Our vouchers came today :banana: :banana: :banana:

[sunshinecindy]

I just signed up at our local SPCA for this.

[fourfoxesinpa]

We made our blankets yesterday and, if I say so myself, they look pretty darn cute. Next step, delivering them and then, Magic Kingdom here we come!

[sammielynn]

Glad everyone is having success! I can't wait to use my voucher!

[Jusacuz]

Our family is going to build birdhouses in a couple weeks. I wish I had found one for blankets instead because I'm not looking forward to how much it will cost upfront. They did say they'd reimburse us, but I'm not sure I'll worry about it. 6 birdhouses will still be cheaper than paying for tickets for 6 people. :)

[Leslie]

We got our vouchers today!! Can't wait to use them! :sunshine:

[roo823]

I just signed up with Binky Patrol to make no-sew fleece blankets.

We are going to WDW in the fall, so we will get to turn our voucher in for the special 1 day fastpass for the whole family. So far, I have 2 of us signed up, but hoping for 4....then we'd have FP's for each of the parks!:hugs:

[fourfoxesinpa]

Got the email with the vouchers. What a brilliant promotion for Disney - so much better than the free ticket for your birthday because it's a win-win for everyone involved. Disney, the Non-Profit org, the recipients of the volunteer service and the volunteer.

Good job Disney! :clap::clap::clap::clap:

[sunshinecindy]

Got the email with the vouchers. What a brilliant promotion for Disney - so much better than the free ticket for your birthday because it's a win-win for everyone involved. Disney, the Non-Profit org, the recipients of the volunteer service and the volunteer.

Good job Disney! :clap::clap::clap::clap:

Except they may want to monitor who they allow to participate since both places I contacted have not responded to me.

[fourfoxesinpa]

Except they may want to monitor who they allow to participate since both places I contacted have not responded to me.

They are probably getting pummeled with volunteer requests. Many non-profits are not able to hire a lot of staff so I bet they are just overwhelmed and totally caught off guard with the popularity of this program. Hopefully they'll be in touch with you soon.

[bryder]

I haven't signed up for it yet, but I am planning to do so tomorrow.

[sammielynn]

I think I said this before, but I know the Project Linus rep in our area. She told me that she got over 2000 request in the first two days. She is doing this by herself!

[fourfoxesinpa]

I think I said this before, but I know the Project Linus rep in our area. She told me that she got over 2000 request in the first two days. She is doing this by herself!

Shazam! That's awesome!

The lady that coordinates our local "branch" said, since the earthquake, they have arranged volunteers to make 600 fleece blankets and they are sending them to Haiti. (The blankets....not the volunteers.) That is a lot to manage when you're used to only having a handful of regular volunteers.

[schaery]

Did my craft today! Coordinator said I should receive my voucher email sometime tomorrow. :clap:

[lkat]

We delivered all of our blankets today! The woman who is the coordinator for that area was wonderful!!! She took the time to share some stories with our family about some of the children who have received and will receive the blankets. She had HUNDREDS of blankets in her living room (said every 2 weeks they deliver them where needed and start collecting all over again!) and let us look at all of them. Then she let the kids show her the ones they had made and shook all of their hands and thanked them for helping to make a child happy.

It was truly a wonderful experience! Will update when we get our vouchers, but she said we'd get the email in about 2 weeks...planning on using the fastpass option :)

[MdCaterer]

We signed up for the Linus Blanket program also. We needed to make 4 blankets, but we made 6 and I will be sending them in this week. I think it is a wonderful program. I agree it is even better than getting a free day for your birthday because you feel good about helping. I was lucky that they had this program available about 65 miles from here. We are lucky to be able to mail ours in.

[schaery]

Two questions: I completed my project last Tues. Feb. 9, but haven't received anything about my voucher yet. Checked my account but still says it hasn't been verified. How long does it normally take to receive the email?

#2. I have a friends whose girls earned a trip to WDW through a school fundraiser. They are going with a group and not staying onsite. Can they use their volunteer vouchers as a FastPass if they aren't staying in a resort?

[lkat]

Two questions: I completed my project last Tues. Feb. 9, but haven't received anything about my voucher yet. Checked my account but still says it hasn't been verified. How long does it normally take to receive the email?



I'm not sure about the precise rules that Disney lays out, but the woman who was coordinating our service told us that it would take Disney 2 weeks to email our vouchers from the day that she verifies that we completed it. She told us that as soon as the day arrives that we had put in and scheduled to do our service on the hands on network site, it pops up in her computer. Then she needs to verify it (which she said she would do that day...haven't checked that yet...) and then the 2 weeks, etc...

I've read that some people get theirs within days of completing service, but on the official site, I believe it actually says that Disney has up to 60 days max to get your vouchers to you. That's why I had planned our completion date more than 60 days before our trip, but it looks like that's not the norm for it to take so long.

If you're a little concerned that the coordinator hasn't even verified your service yet, it certainly couldn't hurt to get in touch with them to make sure they have you in their system I suppose...I'm sure you'll get them soon...let us know when you do!

And I have no idea about your second question...sorry!

[LuvMyBoys]

Two questions: I completed my project last Tues. Feb. 9, but haven't received anything about my voucher yet. Checked my account but still says it hasn't been verified. How long does it normally take to receive the email?

#2. I have a friends whose girls earned a trip to WDW through a school fundraiser. They are going with a group and not staying onsite. Can they use their volunteer vouchers as a FastPass if they aren't staying in a resort?


I can't help on question 2, but for question 1 -- I was told that the coordinator had to verify your service within 72 hours of completion. I would definitely give a call or send an email to the coordinator to check in. I would think that it should be showing up as verified in your account by now.

My parents did blankets for Project Linus, I dropped them off on Friday night and they were verified in the system on Monday. They received their vouchers from Disney on Thursday. :sunshine:

We just did our drop off yesterday, we collected toys/toiletries/other items for foster kids that are entering the system and don't have their own personal items. The coordinator said she would be verifying our service today. So I guess we will see if Disney is still being so quick on sending our the vouchers! :angel:

[schaery]

On the Disney website, it says please allow 2 weeks for verification so I'll try to be patient for another week, I guess.

[LuvMyBoys]

Just wanted to update that we received our vouchers today. :) Both the charity that we volunteered with and the project linus chapter my parents did were very on the ball.

I did send confirmation emails to both immediately after doing our drop-offs since they were both done outside of houses in drop boxes. I was so worried that someone would make off with the stuff! :o

Hope you get your vouchers soon! :sunshine:

[lkat]

Still didn't get our vouchers...but get this! I'm on the exec. board of the PTA at my daughter's school, and just got an email today that PA PTA's can participate in the "Give A Day Disney" promotion. So now I need to compile a list of the concrete volunteer opportunities that we have available at our school (like school beautification days in the spring and book fair and such that might be a little more relevant to this) and put it out there for the families. I'm really hoping this might get some more families involved at the school...for it being on the larger size of schools in our district, there really aren't that many volunteers...it's always the same people.

Funny thing is our new principal is a bit of a Disney nut, so he may be putting in a few extra hours for this I bet ;)

Anyway, I'm really excited about getting this all set up for our school! :)

[lkat]

Got vouchers this morning!!!!! :cooldance:

[schaery]

Woohoo! Got my voucher today. Will use it for a FastPass since I bought a package with tickets.

[MouseUnlimited]

The Give-A-Day Incentive has been a huge success, and Disney has almost reached their goal of 1 Million volunteers.

With this said, there are rumors that they'll stop taking registrations soon - unless they change their goal and extend the program. Nobody is sure what they're going to do...but we are sure that they're almost to 1 million.

Hurry!

[sammielynn]

I heard from one of the project coordinators that they are planning to phase out the offerings. Those without a specific date of service (like Project Linus) will go first. The Project Linus coordinator in my area has had 936 volunteers, and is still receiving interest e-mails.

[gpp2001]

I just wanted to share with everybody that the Project Team that is working on the Magic Kingdom/Fantasyland Project including the Imagineers and staff in both Los Angeles and Orlando volunteered a day to help build a house for Habitat for Humanity. They actually had two teams out on the same day - one in Los Angeles and one in Orlando. They then donated their tickets back to Habitat. DH worked with the team in L.A.

He said there was a lucky couple that had volunteered on the same day and were very excited to be working with actual Disney Imagineers!

Karn

[MouseUnlimited]

I heard from one of the project coordinators that they are planning to phase out the offerings. Those without a specific date of service (like Project Linus) will go first. The Project Linus coordinator in my area has had 936 volunteers, and is still receiving interest e-mails.

What's most depressing about this entire offer from Disney is that there are people who wouldn't normally even CONSIDER volunteering their time for anything if it wasn't for something in return. While I give kudos to Disney for doing their part to kick people in the rear, I'm also ashamed that it took something like this for people to get off the couch and help.


I just wanted to share with everybody that the Project Team that is working on the Magic Kingdom/Fantasyland Project including the Imagineers and staff in both Los Angeles and Orlando volunteered a day to help build a house for Habitat for Humanity. They actually had two teams out on the same day - one in Los Angeles and one in Orlando. They then donated their tickets back to Habitat. DH worked with the team in L.A.

He said there was a lucky couple that had volunteered on the same day and were very excited to be working with actual Disney Imagineers!

Karn

Very awesome!

[fourfoxesinpa]

What's most depressing about this entire offer from Disney is that there are people who wouldn't normally even CONSIDER volunteering their time for anything if it wasn't for something in return. While I give kudos to Disney for doing their part to kick people in the rear, I'm also ashamed that it took something like this for people to get off the couch and help.



Very awesome!


It's not just volunteering - all across our culture, it's regularly asked "What's in it for me?"

It is unfortunate that some people just never give of themselves to others but I think it's fabulous that this program is bringing new volunteers to the table. It just might open their eyes to the fact that we all have a responsibility to help others. For kids who don't have parents who regularly serve in their community, this could be the start of a lifetime commitment to help others. We do volunteer our time to numerous causes (right now as I type, DH and DS are helping our public library move books) but never knew anything about Project Linus. We loved making our blankets and learned so much about the organization that we want to continue helping them.

[MouseUnlimited]

It's not just volunteering - all across our culture, it's regularly asked "What's in it for me?"

It is unfortunate that some people just never give of themselves to others but I think it's fabulous that this program is bringing new volunteers to the table. It just might open their eyes to the fact that we all have a responsibility to help others. For kids who don't have parents who regularly serve in their community, this could be the start of a lifetime commitment to help others. We do volunteer our time to numerous causes (right now as I type, DH and DS are helping our public library move books) but never knew anything about Project Linus. We loved making our blankets and learned so much about the organization that we want to continue helping them.

You're exactly right. I just stopped before I turned it into a political debate :rotfl:

I hope the people who ARE doing this only for the Disney ticket might actually learn something from it. I won't hold my breath though!

[~Kathie]

In the March 5, 2010 edition of the Orlando Sentinel.


Are days numbered for “Give a Day, Get a Disney Day”? (http://thedailydisney.com/blog/2010/03/are-days-numbered-for-give-a-day-get-a-disney-day/)

[3dog2kidmom]

I'll admit it... we only volunteered to get the Disney tickets so we could squeeze in a park day before our cruise. I don't think anything is wrong with that. Kudos to those people who do have time and are able to volunteer regularly just because it makes them feel good or it's the right thing to do. Hopefully that will be us someday. It was fun doing a service project with the kids and we will probably do others in the future, meanwhile I work full-time, DH works 3 jobs, and with the kids' school and sports there really isn't time for much else. I suspect many families today especially in this economy are in similar situations.

[MouseUnlimited]

I'll admit it... we only volunteered to get the Disney tickets so we could squeeze in a park day before our cruise. I don't think anything is wrong with that. Kudos to those people who do have time and are able to volunteer regularly just because it makes them feel good or it's the right thing to do. Hopefully that will be us someday. It was fun doing a service project with the kids and we will probably do others in the future, meanwhile I work full-time, DH works 3 jobs, and with the kids' school and sports there really isn't time for much else. I suspect many families today especially in this economy are in similar situations.

Oops. I guess I shouldn't have generalized! See, you're not in the same category of the people who are ONLY doing this because there's something in it for them (I hope I understand that correctly).

You're taking advantage of this for your kids. I presume that, if your lives weren't so hectic (like mine) you would probably at least be willing to help out somewhere once in a while, right?

It's the people who absolutely won't even consider volunteering the other 364 days of the year - then go put in 8 half-butted hours of their time to get a ticket to Disney World - they bug me. Not you :)

[Leslie]

According to Disney's website, they have reached their million participants and the program has ended.

http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/disneyparks/en_US/WhatWillYouCelebrate/index?name=Give-A-Day-Get-A-Disney-Day

[SunshineGirl]

According to Disney's website, they have reached their million participants and the program has ended.

http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/disneyparks/en_US/WhatWillYouCelebrate/index?name=Give-A-Day-Get-A-Disney-Day

Wow! That's shocking! Wasn't this promotion supposed to last most of the year to take the place of last year's thing where you got a ticket on your birthday?

[~Kathie]

Wow! That's shocking! Wasn't this promotion supposed to last most of the year to take the place of last year's thing where you got a ticket on your birthday?

I think there was a person limit.....1,000,000. (thanks Leslie) At last count they were well over 600,000 and a lot of people had their appointments in. I think the article I posted made reference to it.

[MouseUnlimited]

I think there was a person limit.....maybe 1,000,000. At last count they were well over 600,000 and a lot of people had their appointments in. I think the article I posted made reference to it.

Correct. Disney's goal was to get 1 million people to volunteer (in exchange for a free 1-day ticket to a US Disney Theme Park).

They officially hit 1 million registrations and cut it off there. It was a great incentive that really helped out a lot of volunteer organizations, even in the wake of the Haiti and Chile catastrophes.

This was a continuation of the "Celebration" campaign from last year, which followed the "Year of a Million Dreams".