Sarah Lancaster of the South Carolina Governor’s School for Science and Mathematics Awarded a Disney Minnie Grant
By Christina Wessell
[YORK, SC] April 25, 2008 - Sarah Lancaster was awarded a Disney Minnie Grant to lead a community service campaign on Global Youth Service Day on April 25-27, 2008, the largest service event in the world.  These grants support young people between the ages of five and 14 years old in planning and implementing service projects in their community.  Disney Minnie Grant winners were selected by Youth Service America (YSA) and sponsored by Disney. Spanning three days, April 25, 26 and 27, 2008, GYSD involves millions of young people across the world, with the help of mentors, parents, and teachers. Young volunteers will address important community needs through service and service-learning projects addressing climate change, literacy, poverty, human rights, and many other issues.   “It’s an honor to work with Disney who is committed to youth serving around the world. Disney’s leadership increases the scale and visibility of youth service year-round, and helps young people around the world play a leading role in addressing important community needs, by giving their time, energy, commitment, and idealism,” says Steve Culbertson, president and CEO of Youth Service America. “Millions of young people serving together on Global Youth Service Day performing strategic service sends a powerful message of hope and healing around the globe,” Culbertson adds. “Global Youth Service Day is a wonderful opportunity to encourage today’s  youth to be a part of making our world a better place to live,” said Jeff Hoffman, vice president, Disney Worldwide Outreach.  “As part of that encouragement, our Minnie Grants help individuals facilitate outreach programs in their communities.”  Lancaster will launch E5Youth, mentoring middle school students for community service opportunities based on their interests and abilities.  E5Youth organizes five key areas and encourages each participant to recruit at least five additional volunteers for service in the Environment, Education, Entertainment of the elderly and disabled, Empowerment of the poor, and Euthenics – improving living conditions.  The inaugural E5Youth Treasure Hunt on Saturday, April 25, 8:30 a.m. - Noon will start at the Trinity United Methodist church parking lot.  It will involve a neighbor-to-neighbor food drive for a local food bank, a visit to an elder-care facility for storytelling with residents, global literacy promotion at the local library using the new “Panwapa” Sesame Street materials, initiating a Habitat for Humanity youth project, and making a commitment to energy conservation.  After sharing a “yield meal,” which involves donating all or a portion of money left from a meal allowance to poverty lunch programs, the group members will create individual community service action plans to implement during the year.  Other students at the Governor’s School will replicate the project in their home counties of Aiken, Greenwood, Horry, and Kershaw during May. “I am so excited to have the opportunity through the Disney grant to launch E5Youth with my Governor’s School classmates as we mentor younger kids for community service,” says Lancaster.  “Not only is SCGSSM a great place to learn, but its unique blend of students makes it possible for us to network and plan with each other in reaching out to our communities all over the state.”   For more information about getting involved with E5Youth, please contact: {Sarah Lancaster, 684-6995]. Global Youth Service Day is the largest youth service event in the world. GYSD is a year-round effort to expand the impact of the youth service movement. The initiative launches new service organizations, policy changes, and sustainable service programs to create a culture of engaged youth. State Farm Companies Foundation is the presenting sponsor. More than 125 national partners and 70 lead agencies throughout the United States organize campaigns. Overseas, national lead agencies in more than 100 countries participate. Planning Tool Kits, Service-Learning Curriculum Guides, classroom posters, grants, and more are available for youth, parents, teachers and organizations. For more information: www.YSA.org. # # # Disney brightens the lives of children in need around the world through global outreach programs, local community initiatives and the Disney VoluntEARS program. Last year, Disney donated more than $177 million in cash and in-kind support to various charities around the world and the Company drew upon its unique magic to make wishes come true for children and families. Last year, Disney VoluntEARS contributed more than 466,000 hours of service. The Disney VoluntEARS program provides opportunities for Disney employees to contribute their time and expertise towards making a positive impact in the communities they serve while furthering the traditions and ideals of The Walt Disney Company. This year, The Walt Disney Company is celebrating 25 years of giving back to communities around the world through the efforts of Disney VoluntEARS.  Since the program’s inception, Disney Employees and Cast Members in over 42 countries have donated over 5,000,000 hours of service. Youth Service America seeks to improve communities by increasing the number and diversity of young people, ages 5-25, serving in important roles. Founded in 1986, YSA is an international nonprofit resource center that partners with thousands of organizations in more than 100 countries to expand the impact of the youth service movement with families, communities, schools, corporations, and governments.  For more information: www.YSA.org.
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