Iron Man Introduces Captain America to Indie Rock Band Joywave

August 13, 2019

By: Zach Johnson

After being encased in ice for 66 years, the heroic Steve Rogers—aka Captain America, a “man out of time”—relied on the Avengers to catch him up to speed on the 20th Century. Musically, his to-do list in Marvel Studios’ Captain America: The Winter Soldier included listening to everything from disco to Nirvana—and in a new collaboration between Marvel Comics and Hollywood Records, Iron Man, aka Tony Stark, teaches him all about Joywave.

When battle begins, Captain Marvel says she hears “Ride of the Valkyries.” Thor, meanwhile, says he’s fueled by “earthly metal music.” But after Captain America reveals his head is “just a loop of ’70s soul,” courtesy of a playlist from Nick Fury, Iron Man takes it upon himself to bring him into the 21st Century. When he does, Black Widow admits she’s “impressed” with Captain America’s musical taste, which features the indie rock band Joywave’s new single, “Obsession.”

As part of the collaboration, Marvel Comics also created a lithograph and poster for Joywave. Featuring Daniel Armbruster on vocals, Paul Brenner on drums, Joseph Morinelli on guitar, and Benjamin Bailey on keyboard/guitar, Joywave released a visual video for “Obsession” Friday which features a number of other Marvel Comics characters, such as Hawkeye and Ms. Marvel.

See the comic strip within the pages of Marvel Comics, on sale this week!

Joywave recently announced a North American tour with Bastille, which is set to begin in October and end in November. Their new album, Possession, is scheduled for a 2020 release.

Join the Party with Disney TSUM TSUM FESTIVAL

August 13, 2019

By Karina Schink

We’ve got the inside scoop on BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment America’s latest game Disney TSUM TSUM FESTIVAL. We all know them, we all love them, and we already know that our obsession with Disney’s fluffiest and cuddliest friends, Tsum Tsums, is going to grow!

With Disney TSUM TSUM FESTIVAL, you can play a variety of activities with your Tsum Tsum, and start racking up points to build and add to your collection of little pals!

Play against a friend to see who has the best skills, or you can connect with players online to keep the party going! You can play the popular puzzle game, and earn as many points while connecting your Tsum together to create the longest chain or play various activities like Bubble Hockey, Tsum Curling, and Tsum Rhythm with up to 4 of your friends! Only time will tell which activity will be your forte and gain you the most points—and therefore the most Tsum Tsums!

And, make sure you stop by BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment America’s booth on Mickey Avenue to try out the game at D23 Expo 2019 and get an exclusive Disney TSUM TSUM FESTIVAL pin while supplies last!

Disney’s Live-Action Lady and the Tramp Paws its Way onto the Cover of Disney Twenty-Three

August 13, 2019November 1, 2019

By D23 Team

We can’t wait for this fall, when Disney+ launches with a slate of original programming we will absolutely binge watch, and to celebrate, we’re giving fans a sneak peek at some of the streaming service’s most highly anticipated programming, including the live-action adaptation of Lady and the Tramp. The film’s stars, voiced by Tessa Thompson and Justin Theroux, chatted exclusively with Disney twenty-three about bringing this beloved story to life—complete with a canine cast of rescue dogs who found “forever homes” when production ended.

Also coming to Disney+ when it launches November 12 (we can hardly wait!) is The Mandalorian, the first-ever live-action Star Wars series, which will introduce a new caravan of characters in this story set after the fall of the Empire and before the emergence of the First Order. Writer and executive producer Jon Favreau and members of the cast sat down to talk about the thrilling new show. Plus, the energetic cast and creator of High School Musical: The Musical: The Series took a break from filming to talk about their meta, magical new show.

But that’s not all! Rounding out this exclusive look at Disney+, film historian Leonard Maltin selects some of his favorite movies that are coming out of the vault when the service launches, and television reporter Craig Tomashoff takes a look at some of the fan-favorite TV making its way to Disney+, including the original DuckTales, That’s So Raven, and Star Wars Rebels.

And the 12 luminaries who are being celebrated as Disney Legends at D23 Expo, including Christina Aguilera, Robert Downey Jr., Bette Midler, and Ming-Na Wen, sat down exclusively with Disney twenty-three to talk about what the honor means to them.

Also included in the Fall issue of Disney twenty-three:

Michelle Pfeiffer reveals secrets about her character—and working alongside Angelina Jolie—in this fall’s Maleficent: Mistress of Evil
A look inside the August 1962 issue of National Geographic, which featured dozens of pages showcasing The Walt Disney Studios and Disneyland
Stars of Modern Family recall their favorite Disney moments
A peek inside the new book The Art of Disney Costuming: Heroes, Villains, and Spaces Between, inspired by the Walt Disney Archives exhibit at D23 Expo 2019
From the Desk Of: Walt Disney Archives Director Becky Cline
Regular features including By the Numbers, Character Analysis, D Society, and Ask Dave

Disney twenty-three, which is delivered directly to fans’ doorsteps, is offered exclusively to D23 Gold and Gold Family Members as a benefit of their membership. The latest issue will begin arriving in late August.

8 Disney Travel Movies to Watch Before Your Next Family Vacation

August 13, 2019April 18, 2022

By Karina Schink and Savannah Salazar

Before summer’s over and kids head back to school, rev those engines and hit the road for one more grand-hoorah getaway—life is a highway, after all. To help you plan your journey, we put together a list of some of the most memorable vacation spots from Disney films, both real and imagined. So, grab a DOLE® whip, sit back in the sun, and send your imagination soaring with these unforgettable destinations.

The Parent Trap (1998)
Camp Walden is coming, and we’re ready to go! Hallie and Annie went on a trip they won’t soon forget—mainly because they had no idea it was a family trip and that they’d meet the twin sister they never knew existed! The two siblings meet as rivals, but then get to know each other over a shared love of peanut butter spread on cookies, because what better way is there to bond with your long-lost twin?

Peter Pan
Never Land is a treasure trove of exotic locations, from the enchanting Mermaid Lagoon, to the daunting Jolly Roger, to the secret hideout of the Lost Boys. Wendy, John and Michael never had a dull moment on their (shall we say) “impromptu vacation” with Peter Pan and Tinker Bell to Never Land. We’re still waiting for our pixie dust flight to our vacation destinations.

Toy Story 4
Buzz, Woody, and the gang hit the road on a vacation full of brand-new adventures and characters (protect Forky at all costs!). The toys join Bonnie and her family on a road trip in the ultimate road trip vehicle, an RV, and stop at a summer fun classic—the carnival. The open road, swirling carnival rides, loving friendships and incredibly funny hijinks have us nostalgic for summer vacation.

A Goofy Movie
Gawrsh! There’s nothing like hitting the open road with your best pal. Our favorite father-son duo, Goofy and Max Goof, set off on a wild cross-country vacation, from a fishing trip gone wrong and a stop at Lester’s Possum Park, to—wait for it—a Powerline concert! It’s not an all-perfect vacation but at least it stands out from other trips.

Visit our friends at Alamo to see what the next stop on our world-wide vacation is!

5 Amazing Things About Avengers: Endgame

August 13, 2019

By Tim Lammers

Right on the heels of it becoming the highest-grossing film worldwide in box office history with nearly $2.8 billion in ticket sales, the culmination of the first 22 films in the Marvel Cinematic Universe saga, Avengers: Endgame, has made its hotly anticipated debut on Digital, Blu-ray, and 4K Ultra HD (Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment). D23.com recently talked with Joe Russo about the superhero extravaganza, the fourth MCU film he co-directed with his brother, Anthony, following their direction of Captain America: Winter Soldier, Captain America: Civil War, and Avengers: Infinity War.

Warning: Major spoilers from Avengers: Endgame are ahead.

1. Joe Russo says the strong audience reaction to carnage from Thanos’ finger snap at the end of Avengers: Infinity War took the Russo brothers by surprise, driving the pressure on them to deliver for Avengers: Endgame through the roof.
“The way audiences reacted to the end of the movie was much more significant than we thought it would be,” Russo says. Certainly, we expected a reaction, but the outcry and the outpouring of grief over that ending were dramatic. I know that Mark Ruffalo was in a theater, hiding in a ball cap, watching the film in New York City on opening night with his son, and he said at the end of the movie, the entire theater just sat there for 10 minutes after the movie ended. Finally, he said, a guy got up and started ripping his shirt off and screaming ‘Why! Why would you do this?’ We certainly didn’t expect that kind of reaction. So, all that did was put pressure on us for Endgame to deliver. It was good to get that kind of response because as artists it made us focus on the next chapter.”

2. Avengers: Endgame relies heavily on its time travel narrative, and Russo admits he and his brother initially underestimated how big of an undertaking it would be.
“Time travel was certainly the thing that we had to explain the most to the audience” Russo says. “During reshoots we had to go back and spend quite a bit of time on it to make sure it was clear, because we were working with a very different set of rules than the ubiquitous Back to the Future did and the film’s influence on all time travel stories and pop culture since its debut. We were playing by a different set of rules, and I think we underestimated how influential those Back to the Future rules were and how pervasive they were.

“So, we reshot two scenes—both of which involved Smart Hulk (Mark Ruffalo), Rhodey (Don Cheadle), and Scott Lang (Paul Rudd)—talking about going back in time and how it works, etcetera, so those two scenes, back-to-back, really do a lot of heavy-lifting,” Russo adds. “At the end of the day, time travel is not real—it’s a conceit of genre filmmaking and storytelling—and ultimately this is a science fiction film and there are going to have to be buy-ins. There are no giant green men in life like the Hulk or giant purple aliens like Thanos, so you have to ask audiences to buy in on time travel as a narrative device that helps them solve the story.”

3. Not long after Avengers: Endgame was released in theaters, the Russo brothers revealed that the death of Tony Stark hinged on whether Robert Downey Jr. would sign off on perhaps the biggest scene in the history of the MCU. If he said “No,” however, Russo says he and his brother had a Plan B.
“Our Plan B if he said ‘no’ was to talk him into it, because we felt it was the right thing to do for the story,” Russo says. “We appreciate emotional catharsis as viewers when we watch stories, and we wanted to do something that was impactful and that really underscored what it means to be a hero—and sacrifice is the very definition of being a hero. It means you are willing to put the good of the community ahead of yourself, and who better to exemplify that than Tony Stark?”

Russo adds that considering where Tony’s story began, as a selfish person initially out for himself in Iron Man in 2008, the Avengers: Endgame ending completed the ultimate character arc where he arrived at the ultimate act of selflessness.

“As storytellers, there’s nothing more compelling than taking a character from A to Z, where it is starting in one place and ending in almost the exact opposite place,” Russo says. “That is a real arc and a real journey for a character to take, and a joy for a director to direct and an actor to act. “The Marvel Cinematic Universe is a very singular experiment in movie history, and there’s never been anything quite like it, where you’re taking so many different successful franchises and interweaving them into one large mosaic. There’s never been an opportunity like this on the big screen, and it’s had a profound impact on people.

4. The Avengers: Endgame Home Entertainment release includes six deleted scenes, and Russo says one of the scenes cut from the film—an emotionally powerful sequence where all of the members of the Avengers kneel in honor of Tony Stark after he dies—left the brothers in a huge quandary before they decided to let it go.
“The scene was in and it was out; we watched it a bunch of different times with test audiences, but at the end of the day, of anything that we had cut, it probably was the most difficult decision,” Russo says. “Ultimately, we felt like it was robbing from the scene where everybody was standing on the hill outside Tony’s house, paying their respects to him at his funeral. We wanted to make sure that we weren’t making the ending repetitive or diluting the emotion of the funeral scene.”

5. When the film ends with the reunion of Captain America (Chris Evans) and Agent Peggy Carter (Hayley Atwell), Russo says he and his brother refused to settle for just any ordinary dance and a kiss, and instead wanted a shot where audiences could experience the era of the Golden Age of Hollywood (which, coincidentally, is the same era that the scene is set in).
“Without question, it was about the period. It was about the warmth, the genuineness and the happiness of that kiss,” Russo explains. “It’s symbolic of years lost between them that they both suffered, and they’re finally getting a moment where they can just quietly be with one another. They know that they have a future together now, and that’s what that kiss represents. We shot it that way, starting with that long, slow crane shot across the street to reveal them in the window with the sun shining and flaring into the lens for the final close-up between the two of them. No specific classic screen kiss inspired the scene, but we’ve consumed a lot of movies over the years, so I’m sure subconsciously that the Gone with the Wind kiss was in the back of our heads as we framed up that shot.”

Here’s All the Inspiration You Need for Your D23 Expo Cosplay

August 12, 2019

By Karina Schink

D23 Expo 2019 is the perfect opportunity to live out your sartorial dreams. Whether you make it blue, pink, or a color less often argued over by fairy caretakers, we can’t wait to see what you come up with to wear to the ball (D23 Expo, that is).

Since we know it can be a difficult undertaking to come up with ideas, we’ve pulled together a look back at some of 2017’s D23 Expo cosplay looks. So, with inspiration aplenty, go forth and create. We can’t wait to see what you come up with.

We also have a suggestion of what to do with your winning idea. For the first time ever at D23 Expo, we will be hosting daily Cosplay Photo Shoots outside the Anaheim Convention Center in front of the Grand Plaza Fountain. Click here for more information.

On the lookout for the Leaning Tower of Cheeza.

Only the good stuff.

The force is strong with this family.

Out for delivery.

A brand-new addition to the Kakamora tribe.

That’s logic!

The Dapper Dan-ielles.

Once upon a workout.

Get An Exclusive First Look at National Geographic’s The Right Stuff at D23 Expo

August 12, 2019March 31, 2020

By the D23 Team

Get ready to blast off at D23 Expo, because National Geographic is presenting an exclusive sneak peek of the scripted series The Right Stuff, based on Tom Wolfe’s bestselling novel that spotlighted the historical Mercury 7 astronauts. Join Jake McDorman (What We Do in the Shadows, Lady Bird), Colin O’Donoghue (Once Upon a Time,) Aaron Staton (Narcos: Mexico, Castle Rock), Michael Trotter (Underground, The Evening Hour), Micah Stock (Brittany Runs a Marathon, Escape at Dannemora), and James Lafferty (The Haunting of Hill House, Small Town Crime) as they give fans the first look at the early days of production on the series.

The Right Stuff fan experiences will launch Saturday, August 24, with a cast autograph signing and meet-and-greet at Talent Central from 12:45 to 1:45 p.m. Then, over at Center Stage from 2:30 to 3 p.m., the cast will sit down with special guest moderator, retired NASA astronaut Nicole Stott, for an out-of-this-world Q&A and first look at the series. Immediately following, from 3 to 3:50 p.m. at the Walt Disney Television booth, fans will get another chance to meet and take pictures with the cast and Stott. Finally, at 4:30 p.m., the cast will serve as Grand Marshalls for the D23 Street Party, leading the festive indoor parade across the show room floor inside the convention center.

The first season of The Right Stuff, which uses Wolfe’s book as its starting point, starts at the height of the Cold War. To combat a national sentiment of fear and decline, the U.S. government conceives of NASA’s Project Mercury, igniting a space race with the Soviets and making instant celebrities of a handful of the military’s adrenaline-fueled test pilots. These individuals, who come to be known as the Mercury Seven, are forged into heroes long before they have achieved a single heroic act. At the heart of a historic drama populated by deeply human characters, two archrivals—Maj. John Glenn and Alan Shepard—jockey to be the first man in space. Production began last month in Cocoa Beach, Florida, and will premiere globally on National Geographic in 2020.

As previously announced, National Geographic will be joining the D23 Expo show floor for the first time, delivering unique experiences that inspire curiosity and exploration for fans of all ages. Check out our previous post to see what adventures they are bringing to the show floor.

11 Facts Every Fan of The Princess Diaries Movies Needs to Know

August 9, 2019August 3, 2020

By Savannah Salazar

Mia Mignonette Thermopolis Renaldi charmed the world as she went from awkward schoolgirl to a poised (but still incredibly personable) Queen of Genovia. The relatable teen queen reigned over our hearts, making both of The Princess Diaries films perfect 2000s classics.

To celebrate over 15 royally amazing years of The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement, here are 11 facts about the films that we can’t keep to ourselves!

Both of The Princess Diaries films featured the motion picture debut of some of our favorite actors and actresses

When (at the time) Anne Hathaway was auditioning for director Garry Marshall, she accidentally fell out of her chair, and instead of it being an awkward deal-breaker, it was perfect—and one of the reasons why Marshall chose Hathaway to be Mia. The Princess Diaries also starred (then, platinum recording artist and now, Disney Princess) Mandy Moore as Lana, the mean head cheerleader, who, yes, got coned. But, that’s not all! Chris Pine made his motion picture debut in The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement as Lord Nicholas Devereaux, the (at-first) scheming yet totally dreamy Lord after Mia’s heart.

The Princess Diaries marked Julie Andrews’ royal return to Disney

Julie Andrews flew into our hearts with the beloved 1964 Disney classic, Mary Poppins. Since then, we hoped for a return to the big-screen with Disney, and, in 2001, we got it with The Princess Diaries. It wasn’t a spoon full of sugar that convinced Andrews to return, but the opportunity to work with director Garry Marshall.

The Princess Diaries films were produced by Whitney Houston

In 1997, Whitney Houston starred in The Wonderful World of Disney presents Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella. Continuing her wonderful reign over princess properties, Whitney Houston, along with Debra Martin Chase and Mario Iscovich, produced both of The Princess Diaries films, as part of her production company, BrownHouse Productions. In a very memorable moment on set of The Princess Diaries, Houston and Julie Andrews sang “Happy Birthday” to Garry Marshall.

The Princess Diaries was filmed at a practically perfect location

In the fall of 2000 (October through December, to be exact), The Princess Diaries started filming at The Walt Disney Studios lot on the stage of another royally revered Disney classic—the 1964 live action-animation film Mary Poppins. Both movies starred Julie Andrews, and both were filmed on Soundstage 2, so it was only natural to dedicate the stage as the Julie Andrews Stage in 2001. The dedication was a nostalgic and celebratory affair with Roy E. Disney, Richard M. Sherman, and Dick Van Dyke joining Andrews at the event.

Anne Hathaway had more than 50 costume changes in The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement

Being a princess has its perks. The Princess Diaries 2 costume designer Gary Jones said that more than 50 costumes were made for Mia Thermopolis. He even noted that the red dress that Mia wore to her 21st birthday party at the palace was inspired by Audrey Hepburn’s red ensemble in Funny Face.

The crowning glory of The Princess Diaries 2 was Julie Andrews’ song

The second film in the series marked the first time Andrews sang in a film since undergoing throat surgery in 1997. During Mia’s slumber party, Queen Clarisse sings “Your Crowning Glory” with Asana (played by Raven-Symoné). Andrews even helped compose the song, coming up with the back-and-forth banter between Queen Clarisse and Raven-Symoné.

Julie Andrews does her own stunts, thank you very much

One of the most iconic scenes in The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement is no doubt the mattress-surfing scene. The world was never the same again, as kids and adults alike found themselves longing to slide down a set of stairs—in a palace no less. The scene evolved after a conversation between director Garry Marshall and Anne Hathaway as she explained that she used to do that with friends as a kid (sans palace). When it came time for Queen Clarisse to surf down the stairs, Julie Andrews required no stunt double, proving that Julie Andrews can, indeed, do anything.

Director Garry Marshall snuck in references from one of his most popular films

There are various nods to Marshall’s Pretty Woman in The Princess Diaries films. For starters, Marshall cast Hector Elizondo (as Joe, the Genovian chauffeur) in The Princess Diaries— their 13th film together. Elizondo appeared in Pretty Woman as Barney Thompson. Marshall also pays homage to a cut scene from Pretty Woman (it’s in the film’s blooper reel) of a real-life gaffe made by Julia Roberts. She ate a mouthful of palate cleansing sorbet by accident while filming, and Marshall translated that faux pas into a memorable scene in The Princess Diaries when Mia does the same at her first royal dinner. In the same dinner scene, Mia clumsily breaks a glass and sets a guest’s sleeve on fire, where a butler, played by Allen Kent, who was a waiter in Pretty Woman says, “It happens all the time”—which is the same line he says in Pretty Woman to Roberts’ character.

Garry Marshall movies are a family affair

The Princess Diaries movies feature cameos from a variety of members of Marshall’s family. His granddaughters Lily and Charlotte Marshall-Fricker played the twins who ask for Mia’s autograph and, in the sequel, they are princesses at Mia’s party. His niece (and the daughter of Penny Marshall) Tracy Reiner plays a press secretary, and at the end of the first film, you can spot Garry himself dancing with his sister Ronny at the ball. Marshall’s daughter, Kathleen Marshall, plays Queen Clarisse’s assistant and confidante in both films while his son, Scott, is a royal security guard named “Shades” in The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement.

There is also another marvel-ous cameo by Stan Lee

Before there was a big-screen Iron Man and the Marvel Cinematic Universe as we know it, Stan Lee was already making some cameos in other films, including The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement. Lee appears as a guest at Mia’s wedding, who only knows English because of his fervent enthusiasm for The Three Stooges.

The country of Genovia is an amalgamation of Europe

Since the film debuted, many fans of The Princess Diaries have first wondered, is Genovia real? Then they’ve pondered, what country is it based on? Well, the exact location has always been a bit vague, but director Garry Marshall has said it’s somewhere between Spain and Italy, while other crew members have suggested it might be somewhere in the vicinity of France, as well. It wasn’t until the second film that Genovia was introduced to viewers, but filming actually took place in Southern California. The palace of Genovia was built at Disney’s Golden Oak Ranch and was an enormous set piece.

Which Disney Character Should Be Your Vacation Buddy?

August 9, 2019November 26, 2019

by Savannah Salazar

The only thing better than going on vacation is going on vacation with a friend! Answer the questions below and find out which Disney character should be your travel buddy.

Want to see all the possible Disney vacation buddies? Head over to our friends at Alamo to see who you could have gone on a vacation with!

This campaign has ended. Check out D23.com for more Disney fun!

Join Disney’s Team of Heroes and Explore Some Magical Opportunities at D23 Expo

August 9, 2019

By D23 Team

D23 Expo is right around the corner, and we know guests are busy mapping out each day in anticipation of exciting experiences, breaking news, and lots of Disney magic. From can’t-miss panels to incredible show floor experiences, we know that everyone’s to-do lists must be jam-packed with activities. While exploring the show floor, fans should definitely leave some room in your plans for two brand-new experiences that celebrate two of The Walt Disney Company’s groundbreaking initiatives.

Meet Disney Recruiters at the Disney Aspire Pavilion
Have you dreamed of becoming part of the magic? For the first time ever, Disney recruiters will be on the D23 Expo show floor at the Disney Aspire pavilion to meet with guests. Disney Aspire is The Walt Disney Company’s groundbreaking education investment program that enables Disney’s hourly employees to follow their educational dreams—while The Walt Disney Company pays for 100 percent of the tuition up front at schools in the Disney Aspire network. Introduced in August 2018, Disney Aspire is the most comprehensive education investment program of its kind, offering more than 290 degrees and programs at 11 educational institutions. Committing $150 million over the next five years, Disney Aspire: covers all costs associated with tuition and required books and fees; offers choice and convenience with multiple programs, classes, and scheduling options; provides individual coaching for employees from application to graduation and every step along the way; and does not require the employee stay at Disney after the completion of their degree or certificate. Disney recruiters will be ready to speak to attendees who may be interested in joining Disney and being a part of our story of entertaining and inspiring people around the globe. Whether you’re looking to create magic in our Parks and Resorts, support growth and development in one of our growing businesses, work behind the scenes on production, or anything in between, this is your opportunity to start the next chapter of your career and help create the exhilarating experiences Disney is known for worldwide. Stop by the pavilion to learn how you could be part of the story and discover more about the Disney Aspire program.

Join the Disney Team of Heroes
Guests are invited to walk through The Walt Disney Company Social Responsibility Pavilion and discover all the ways Disney is working to be an honorable company that delivers comfort to those in need and creates inspiration and opportunity for those who want to improve their world.

In March 2018, Disney debuted a bold $100 million, five-year commitment to support children’s hospitals around the world as part of its Disney Team of Heroes initiative. The suite of experiences, murals, and interactive art aims to provide comfort and inspiration for children and families. The hospital concepts were designed by Disney creatives, technology and storytelling experts, and the world-renowned Imagineers and feature favorite Disney, Pixar, Star Wars, and Marvel characters. Disney Team of Heroes is Disney’s philanthropic and outreach initiative that delivers comfort and inspiration to families with children facing serious illness, as well as the Company’s work in wish-granting.

After the Disney Team of Heroes experience, guests will also be able to take part in a VoluntEARS activity where they will be able to assemble hospital care packages for kids in children’s hospitals.