Walt Disney Company to donate more than $1M to Bahamas relief and recovery efforts

The Walt Disney Company, led by Disney Cruise Line, has pledged to donate more than $1 million to Bahamas relief and rescue efforts after Hurricane Dorian pummeled the islands this week.

“We all have watched with broken hearts as Hurricane Dorian brought devastation to the northern Bahamas. Having just traveled to Great Abaco for a community event one week before the storm hit, I can tell you firsthand that the people of Grand Bahama and Abaco are our friends, neighbors and co-workers,” wrote Mari Mendez, the company’s external communications manager.

The company says they will help Bahamians affected by the monster storm to rebuild their homes, communities and their livelihoods.

The $1 million will be donated to non-profit relief agencies who are undertaking recovery and rebuilding efforts as well as provision of supplies.

“The Walt Disney Company stands with the people of The Bahamas affected by Hurricane Dorian,” said Chairman and CEO Bob Iger. “We hope our $1 million donation will provide much-needed relief and help our neighbors, colleagues, and all those impacted by this devastating storm begin the long process of recovery as they work to put their lives and communities back together.”

In addition, Disney employees “with immediate needs in impacted areas of the Bahamas” will have access to a range of resources. Disney employs more than 60 Bahamians form Abaco and Grand Bahama, as well as several more from other Bahamian islands, at Castaway Cay- their private island in the Bahamas.

“The Bahamas is such a special place to us and our guests, and we have watched the devastation created by Hurricane Dorian with concern and heartache,” Jeff Vahle, president of Disney Cruise Line, said. “We stand with the Bahamian people, and especially those in Abaco and Grand Bahama, as they recover from the worst storm to ever make landfall in The Bahamas. As the needs in these communities are assessed, we are prepared to aid the relief and recovery efforts through funding, the provision of supplies and by providing support to our Bahamian Crew Members.”