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LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (Aug. 13, 2026) – Back-to-school season is in full swing across Central Florida, and Walt Disney World is helping local teachers and students start the school year off strong with Disney’s Back-to-School Supply Drive supporting A Gift For Teaching.
Disney’s Back-to-School Drive is an annual cast tradition, and this summer, Walt Disney World cast members collected more than 155K school supplies. With this year’s collection, Disney has donated more than 1 million school supplies to local teachers and students in the last decade alone through this annual supply drive.
With A Gift For Teaching’s help, these items will help stock classrooms and support students and teachers in Orange, Osceola, Lake, Seminole and Polk counties. Disney VoluntEARS gathered on Thursday to count and sort through donations.
“We’re committed to removing barriers to learning by ensuring teachers and students have free access to the supplies they need to succeed,” said Jane Thompson, President of A Gift For Teaching. “These donated supplies represent a student walking into school prepared to learn and a teacher feeling supported by their community. We’re grateful for Walt Disney World’s longstanding support of our mission and for the generosity of its cast members, who help make a difference through this supply drive year after year.”
Supporting education is an important part of Walt Disney World’s commitment to Central Florida. Since A Gift For Teaching was founded nearly 30 years ago, Disney has been one of the nonprofit’s largest and longest-standing supporters, helping provide local teachers, students and schools with the tools and resources they need to succeed.
“Every child deserves the opportunity to start the school year feeling prepared and confident. That’s why Disney’s Back-to-School Drive means so much to us,” said Tajiana Ancora-Brown, Director of External Affairs at Walt Disney World. “Year after year, our cast comes together to support local students and teachers because we know that having the right tools can make a real difference in the classroom. Investing in education is one of the most meaningful ways we can help strengthen our community and inspire the next generation to dream big.”
The supply drive is just one of the many ways Disney supports local education efforts. At the start of summer, Disney invested $1.3 million into education programs across Central Florida. The donation benefited all five local school districts and organizations that support education. Disney also makes a difference throughout the school year by providing monetary and in-kind donations, meaningful development opportunities and volunteer support across the region.
As students head back to school this fall, Walt Disney World’s ongoing support will continue to help educators and inspire the next generation of leaders, creators and dreamers across Central Florida.
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