The Walt Disney Company has rallied around its community in the Los Angeles area affected by devastating wildfires. To support employees, production crew, and their families who lost their homes, Disney Entertainment Television has set up a wardrobe warehouse in North Hollywood where they can collect new or gently used clothing and shoes from recent Disney productions.
The idea came from employee Belen Buenrrostro, Manager of Asset Management, who suggested opening the warehouse to those affected. The event was made possible through company-wide collaboration, involving teams such as Global Security, communications, and production teams.
Disney Entertainment Production worked tirelessly over the weekend to unpack boxes, sort items by size and style, and prepare for the arrivals of Disney community members in need. Over 80 Disney VoluntEARS were involved, helping to identify families impacted by the wildfires and coordinating logistics.
The warehouse includes wardrobe from various Disney productions, including Genius: MLK/X, grown-ish, The Old Man, Station 19, UnPrisoned, and Wizards Beyond Waverly Place. This has allowed Disney to offer a wide range of clothing options to Cast Members, employees, and their families.
“We want to make the experience as easy and friendly as possible,” said Buenrrostro. “We give everyone a rack and assign them a buddy shopper. We also set up a play area for the kids, where we stream Disney+ movies and offer games and snacks.”
The event has been a huge success, with over 250 racks of clothing available. The support extends beyond this initiative, as Disney recently announced a $15 million commitment to initial and immediate response and rebuilding efforts in the Los Angeles area.
For Buenrrostro, the experience has been empowering for everyone involved. “This was very tangible,” she said. “There was real work to do, and today we’re seeing that make a real impact on individuals’ lives at a time when everything feels overwhelming.”
Source: https://thewaltdisneycompany.com/disney-opens-wardrobe-warehouse-la-fires