ORLANDO, Fla. – News 6 is partnering with A Gift For Teaching and Publix to help provide school supplies to thousands of Central Florida students in need of essential school supplies and organizers depend on volunteers to bring in donations.
Nearly 40 Walt Disney World employees and their families met with News 6 Anchor Kirstin O'Connor at A Gift for Teaching's free store.
"We're here sorting the supplies today that we've had the chance to donate through our annual Back to School Drive at Walt Disney World Resort," said Brandon Peters, Walt Disney World Ambassador.
Pens, paper, notebooks, craft supplies, all meant to instruct and inspire. Peters said the Disney volunteers spend 260,000 hours a year helping with community events.
"Disney volunteers are amazing. They bring the magic of Disney to our free store every time they're here," said Marisa Worley, Director of Development, A Gift For Teaching.
A Gift For Teaching is getting results for 140,000 students in over 300 schools in Orange, Osceola, and Seminole counties. Their dedication helps more than 12,000 teachers go back to school with carts full of free supplies.
Worley said this year the need has grown. More than 216,000 kids do not have the essential tools they need to succeed in school.
It's a big dream that takes a little bit of magic.
"We could not survive without the manpower of the Disney volunteers," said Worley. "It would take us weeks probably to get through what they're doing right now."