Santa Goofy joins Disneyland Paris VoluntEars for hospital visit

Santa Goofy and Disneyland Paris “VoluntEars” delivered gifts to patients on Christmas Day at Grand Hôpital de l’Est Francilien, a hospital near the resort.

Goofy’s visit continues an eight-year tradition of Disneyland Paris Resort bringing joy to nearby children’s hospitals on Christmas Day. This year, the VoluntEars distributed 2,600 presents to 55 hospitals in France, including 170 at Grand Hôpital de l’Est Francilien.

“It’s not easy to be in hospital on Christmas day, says Nadège, a nursing auxiliary at the hospital. “It brings joy to the children.”

A boy named Kurtis was one of the patients Goofy visited. “It’s great that he can have presents,” Kurtis’ mother said. “We didn’t expect to be here on December 25. You kind of forget you’re in the hospital.”

Disney’s philanthropy isn’t limited to the holiday season. In total across the 30-year history of Disneyland Paris, over 40,000 children in 500 hospitals throughout Europe received visits from the resort’s VoluntEars.

Disney also provides goodwill to hospitals near the company’s other theme parks worldwide, including the children’s spaces Disney specially designed for Central Florida hospitals near Walt Disney World.

Click here for more information about the company’s philanthropic efforts.