Syracuse (WSYR-TV) - As a result of a ten-week program offering a free ticket to Disney for one day of volunteering, local non-profits saw volunteer rates increase sharply. That program ended Tuesday.
Thanks to Disney's "
Give a Day, Get a Disney Day" program, the Veterans Administration Hospital in Syracuse says they have more than 100 new volunteers and the CNY Ronald McDonald House says it has 75 new volunteers.
Bob Hawes, Voluntary Service Manager for the VA Hospital, says the program inspired new volunteers to donate over 400 hours. "I was getting volunteer after volunteer, after volunteer coming in, emailing us saying they want to be a part of this," he said.
At the CNY Ronald McDonald House, volunteers painted the walls in exchange for their ticket. Beth Trunfio, Executive Director for the CNY Ronald McDonald house, says the increase in volunteers has had a positive effect. "For us it's been an extraordinary experience. We rely on volunteers at the Ronald McDonald House to really support and sustain our programs."
Neal Case, a volunteer at the Ronald McDonald house, says the free ticket to Disney wasn't the only reward he found in donating his time. "How can you not feel good after you volunteer your time? Especially at a place like this where it's obviously needed and they do a great job for the community."
In just ten weeks, one-million people throughout the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico donated a day of their time to get a free ticket to Disney. Commercials featuring Muppet characters promoted the offer since it began on January 1.
Although the program is now over, those who participated can redeem their free ticket anytime through December 15 of this year.
