Disney Gives 150K Rain Ponchos To Protect Nurses From Coronavirus

ANAHEIM, CA — What do rain ponchos have to do with battling the coronavirus? Confronted with seeking ways to help amid their current shutdown, Disneyland Resort has offered hundreds of thousands of rain ponchos to the first responders on the front lines of battling the coronavirus pandemic.

"Since making the unprecedented decision to temporarily close our theme parks, stores and suspend our cruises, Disney has continued to focus on ways we can make a difference during this time," a spokesperson told Patch.

In response to requests from hospitals that are need of additional protective garments and medical-related supplies, Disney Parks donated 150,000 rain ponchos to MedShare, a humanitarian aid organization, for distribution to hospitals in need.

The idea was inspired by nurses across the country, who inventively found that rain ponchos can be an excellent way to protect their clothing and prolong the use of PPE, while also freeing up gowns when needed.

“The COVID-19 pandemic is unlike anything we’ve seen before,” said Charles Redding, MedShare CEO and President. “We have to find ways to pool our resources and work together to help the healthcare workers who are doing their very best to treat patients and contain COVID-19. We appreciate Disney partnering with us to support hospitals and healthcare workers on the frontlines.”

Disney Parks also recently donated more than 100,000 N95 masks to the states of New York, California and Florida.

The resort continues to look at any other items that can be donated such as cleaning supplies and comfort items and beyond.

These efforts follow the recent donation of more than 270 tons of food to local food banksfrom Walt Disney World Resort, Disneyland Resort, Disneyland Paris, Hong Kong Disneyland Resort and Aulani Resort.

To date, Disney Parks has provided nearly $3M in in-kind donations benefiting communities around the globe.