Walt Disney World cast members at the Zawadi Marketplace at the Animal Kingdom Lodge raised more than $100,000 in donations for the Disney Wildlife Conservation Fund this year. This marks a 1,200 percent increase from the $7,000 donated during the previous year.
Three cast members at Zawadi are responsible for raising more than $10,000 each and will be recognized by the company. Many teams at the Animal Kingdom Lodge have been involved in supporting this effort, such as the park's animal keepers, chefs and education team.
The Disney Wildlife Conservation Fund has awarded $10 million to conservation and environmental organizations around the globe.
The fund is supported by guest contribution sites at select locations throughout the Walt Disney World Resort, including Animal Kingdom and the Animal Kingdom Lodge, Fort Wilderness and the Wilderness Lodge, the Seas with Nemo and Friends at EPCOT, Disney Vacation Club resorts and the Disney cruise ships Magic and Wonder and on Castaway Cay.
The fund is designed to help scientists all over the world study animals and their habits while working with qualified and respected non-profit organizations on community conservation, education, science and environmental policies.
One hundred percent of every dollar donated goes directly to the projects, while Disney covers all related costs. The conservation fund, along with Disney guests, supported 92 projects in 2006 with $1.411 million going to 59 non-profit organizations working in 35 countries.
For more information on the Disney Wildlife Conservation Fund, log onto the Web site www.disneywildlifefund.com.
