Heather Earl, manager of safety at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, is a dedicated volunteer leader with our Women in Safety Excellence (WISE) Common Interest Group. She's also a dedicated volunteer in her local community, including being a "VoluntEAR" — the term her employer, The Walt Disney Company, uses for employees who volunteer their time.

In 2017, Walt Disney World VoluntEARS like Earl logged more than 262,000 hours to help improve the lives of people in central Florida. Efforts ranged from donating school supplies to local students to serving meals to the homeless.

They also donated nearly $1.5 million to almost 550 nonprofit agencies and community service groups through Disney’s EARS to You grant program. Through the program, employees can turn their volunteer service into contributions ranging from $100 to $2,000 (depending on the number of hours volunteered) to an eligible charity of their choice. Top recipients include animal rescue organizations and groups that support children and families.

Over the years, Earl has received EARS to You Grants to support The Humane Society of Polk County, The Veterinary Care Foundation We Love Pets Fund and the ASSP Central Florida Chapter Scholarship endowment. This year, she received a grant to support WISE's efforts to endow a scholarship through the ASSP Foundation. Disney will be contributing $2,000 on her behalf to the fund. The company also matched Earl's personal donation to the scholarship fund, doubling the impact of her contribution.

We encourage you to ask whether your company has a similar grant or company matching donation program. In addition, please consider including the WISE Scholarship in your philanthropic plan to help #FUNDWISEFUTURES.

To make a tax-deductible donation, visit the ASSP Foundation's webpage. Be sure to note that your donation is earmarked for WISE.