During a special performance of the Candlelight Processional at Epcot, Walt Disney World Resort shared the holiday spirit by donating $100,000 to two local organizations that provide services for people who are homeless in Central Florida.


Meg Crofton, president of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Operations, United States and France, announced donations of $50,000 each to the Central Florida Commission on Homelessness and the Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida.

The Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida serves men, women and children by providing them with food, shelter, housing options, education, advocacy and support services.

“Words fail me when I try to adequately say ‘thank you’ for the unbelievable surprise announced last evening at the Candlelight Processional,” said Coalition for the Homeless President/CEO Brent A. Trotter. “I had no idea…and in keeping with the Disney tradition, you made a dream come true. Disney is at our side, regularly and consistently, helping us do the work we do.”

The Central Florida Commission on Homelessness is a public/private partnership of community leaders who are working to end homelessness in Central Florida within 10 years.

Representatives of both nonprofits were part of a group of more than 1,400 community leaders who attended a special presentation of the Candlelight Processional at Epcot Dec. 2. This holiday event held nightly at the America Gardens Theatre retells the story of Christmas with a celebrity narrator accompanied by a 50-piece orchestra, community choirs and Cast Members.