Oct 31, 2009 7:41 pm US/Eastern
Some Volunteers Get A Free Day At Disney
BALTIMORE COUNTY, Md. (WJZ) ―
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Life on a farm can be hard work, but for volunteers who don't mind getting dirty, they can exchange a day on the farm for a day at Disney.
CBS
Life on a farm can be hard work, but for volunteers who don't mind getting dirty, they can exchange a day on the farm for a day at Disney.
Gigi Barnett explains it's part of the theme park's new campaign to get more people to volunteer.
On this farm in Baltimore County, volunteers are the manpower.
"It's good exercise," said volunteer Angie Venza.
They sort the good carrots from the bad, remove summer crops to make way for the fall ones and get the garlic ready to go.
"It's peaceful out here," said farm intern Marcus Mosley.
It's hard work that's free, but without it, the food wouldn't end up in Baltimore City school lunches, making the meals healthier and more organic.
"We're like the stone soup thing. Everyone brings something to make this a better place," said Food Nutrition Director for Baltimore City Schools Tony Geraci.
It's called the Great Kids Farm at Bragg Nature Center, which is owned by Baltimore City schools. This weekend, the volunteer help comes in all ages. Through Disney's Give a Day, Get a Disney Day campaign, volunteers who help on farms like this one receive a free one-day ticket to any Disney theme park.
It's incentive for some and inspiration for others.
"Walt Disney built his career around trying to get people to remember what it's like to be a child," Geraci said. "We're really fast to rush our kids into adulthood and we forget that it's important that they play in the dirt."
Disney encourages families to volunteer together, so Angie Venza brought her two children to the farm to teach them how food is grown.
"It's just really great for kids to see where the food comes from and the hard work it takes to get it. Because it doesn't all show up on the grocery shelves without any work," she said.
Nearly 100 volunteers arrived on the farm Saturday to dig in, pick some produce and basically clean house. Disney says by the end of next year, it hopes to reach at least one million volunteers.
You don't have to volunteer on a farm to receive a free day at Disney, but the volunteer project has to be approved by Disney.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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