Holiday pixie dust is swirling all around us, and we’re following its sparkle backstage and behind the scenes to the costume workroom. Cast members on both coasts are volunteering their time and exceptional talents to create and donate bespoke bears during the holidays — bringing happiness and comfort to children in need.
How Disney Parks Costumers Create Bespoke Bears for Children in Need
For years, Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World costumers, seamstresses, and seamsters have hand-sewn these bespoke bears to donate during the holidays. Each bear is one-of-a-kind, with its very own outfit crafted from cast member creativity! Some are Disney-bounded, festive, or cozy and dapper, like the crochet sweater and striped bowtie on the handsome bear pictured above (more on him later).
In addition to providing happiness to children in need, the bears and their adorable ensembles are made from new, unused fur and fabric scraps from the costume workroom, keeping pounds of beautiful textiles away from landfills.
Bespoke Bear Lands Starring Role in Disney Ultimate Toy Drive PSA
One of these furry friends, affectionately named Walter Joshua Stripes III, starred in this year’s Disney Ultimate Toy Drive Public Service Announcement (PSA) supporting Toys for Tots, a nonprofit organization that collects and distributes toys to children in need during the holidays.
Walter’s namesakes are Walt Disney and Sergeant Major Joshua Minter, USMC. In 1947, Walt Disney and his animators personally designed the original Toys for Tots train logo that is still used today, and SgtMaj Minter is the 20+ year Marine featured in the PSA who accepts the donation of Walter in a heartwarming moment. Offscreen, Walter and his plush pals will also soon be donated and find forever homes through Toys for Tots.
Lisa Romero, Workroom Manager, Production and Sustainment at Disneyland Resort, started out as a seamstress and was one of the first to participate in the initiative, sewing her very first bear in 2019. Lisa shared, “to know that somewhere out there, there’s a child who gets to love and play with something that you helped create…is really special.”
The Power of a Toy and the Happiness It Can Bring
Along with Lisa, Cynthia Asaad, Workroom Manager, Production and Sustainment at Disneyland Resort has also volunteered her time to sew happiness. To Cynthia, the power of a toy “…is the joy that it brings, especially to see things through a child’s eyes, this is what makes them happy.”
Cynthia shared that her nieces’ favorite dolls, Elsa and Anna, mean the world to them. One night when Cynthia was sad, her eldest niece gave Cynthia her Anna doll for comfort. She gave Cynthia strict instructions to make sure that Anna slept next to her and kept her company. Cynthia’s story parallels the message of the new Disney Ultimate Toy Drive PSA, spotlighting the generosity and kindness of children, and the impact a single toy can have on a child’s life.
Teddy bears in particular can bring a great deal of comfort to children facing an otherwise tumultuous time. “Toys bring enjoyment, joy and hope for children. But a teddy bear is just so soft and cuddly… it’s comforting,” gushed Mary Lou Cox, area manager, costume production and sustainment.
Mary Lou shared that as a child, she dreamed of starting her own teddy bear company. Having been involved with this initiative since its inception, Mary Lou is living out her dream creating teddy bears for children in need.
Disney Parks Costumers’ Growing Impact and Playful Competition
Maureen Townsend, manager, Costume Production and Sustainment at Disneyland Resort, was instrumental in bringing this program to life. She shared that every year, the workroom teams continue to improve their process and create more bears. Costumers at Disneyland even have a friendly competition with Walt Disney World, trading photos of their various stacks of bears when donation deadlines loom.
“It is truly an honor to participate in this wonderful campaign. Being able to showcase the talent and generosity of the workroom team only adds to the pleasure of spreading joy to children at the holidays. Many of us had fond memories of our favorite stuffed toy as a child. Being able to put new toys in the arms of children is the best reward,” said Maureen.
Just like our sewing workroom and Disney Parks costumers, you can support the Disney Ultimate Toy Drive and help give the gift of happiness this holiday season. Join us and watch Walter Joshua Stripes III in his starring moment at Disney.com/ToyDrive.
