I'm an Animal (fan)

When Les and I put up our Christmas tree, we have two ornaments that receive pride of place. One is a tiny Raggedy Ann made by quilling, which is tightly rolled paper. She's only about an inch tall. After we place her near the top center of the tree, she looks so vulnerable that we must give her a guardian. 

That's were Animal comes in. Sometime early in our marriage we bought a large paper mâché ornament of Animal from the Muppet show. We loved the show. We especially loved Animal. (If you've never heard the Muppets and John Denver's version of "We Wish You a Merry Christmas," with Animal screeching, "Won't go"—as well as the figgy/piggy pudding and bacon scenario—you don't know what you're missing.)

So when Disney ads appeared recently with Animal and the rest of the Muppet crew volunteering, I just had to pay attention. I grew even more excited when I realized what Disney was promoting.

In the "doing well by doing good" category, Disney is offering free tickets to one of their parks to one million people who volunteer for a day. You must sign up at Disney's Give a Day. Get a Disney Day. website and volunteer through HandsOn Network, Point of Light Institute, which you can link to from the Disney site. 


One of the very cool things is that opportunities are provided so you can volunteer as a family (with some opportunities for kids as young as 6), and each of you can receive a free ticket. In our area you can help pack donations at a food bank, make blankets or volunteer with Habitat for Humanity (like Animal in the commercial). You can work with seniors or help Dress for Success clients pick out interview clothes. If you have computer tech or data processing skills, there are opportunities for you.


If you are going to vacation near a Disney park this year (the tickets have to be used by December 15), this is a great way to do well for yourself by doing good for others. And if like me, you're not going to be near a Disney park this year, volunteer somewhere this year anyway. It's still a great way to help your kids experience the joy of giving. Animal would be proud.