As we continue to identify ways to support our community during this unprecedented time, Walt Disney World Resort is joining together with Orlando Ballet to make a difference for the Central Florida community.

With the temporary suspension of the performance season at Orlando Ballet, staff from their wardrobe department have been hard at work using their talents to sew face coverings for the members of our community who need them most. To support this inspiring effort, Walt Disney World Resort donated more than 400 yards of fabric and 2,400 yards of elastic to the organization, which will be converted into an estimated 3,000 of these much-needed non-medical, non-industrial-grade face coverings for local healthcare workers. Check out this video to see how the teams are making a difference together!

“It’s an honor to collaborate with one of Orlando Ballet’s longtime supporters and neighbors — Walt Disney World Resort — on this project,” said Cheryl Collins, interim executive director, Orlando Ballet. “Disney does such inspiring work in our community and we can’t thank them enough for their generosity. Orlando Ballet is extremely proud of our team and volunteers who have come together to create so many face coverings that are vital to people in Central Florida during this time.”

For Costuming Strategy and Initiatives Manager Fredd Gunzel, who has worked at Walt Disney World Resort for more than 20 years and has a background in the arts, this story was particularly meaningful. It was only fitting that he would be the one to make this impactful delivery.

“In costuming, we’re all about taking care of each other,” said Fredd. “So being able to donate this fabric and elastic to Orlando Ballet to create these face coverings for our local community is something we are grateful to be a part of.”

In addition to this contribution, Walt Disney World Resort actively supports Orlando Ballet through dance programming sponsorship, financial and in-kind support.