Avengers: Endgame Cast Surprises Children at Disney California Adventure, Unveils $5M Donation
A handful of stars from the upcoming Avengers: Endgame film teamed up to celebrate a massive $5 million donation to help provide support to children around the globe with serious illnesses.
On Friday, cast members Robert Downey Jr., Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson, Jeremy Renner, Paul Rudd and Brie Larson traveled to Disney California Adventure Park to attend Avengers Universe Unite, a charity event to unveil the massive donation.
“More than any time, it’s a time to give back to these courageous kids who inspire us,” Downey Jr., who plays Iron Man in the popular franchise, said at the event, according to the Associated Press.
As part of the sizable gift, Disney donated $1 million to the Starlight Children’s Foundation. The LEGO Group, Hasbro, Funko and Amazon also donated $4 million in Avengers: Endgame toys to hundreds of children’s hospitals across the globe, as well to the Florida nonprofit resort, Give Kids the World Village.
“From delivering hospital care packages, to storytelling through Starlight Xperience virtual reality, to our recent Disney-themed Starlight Gowns, millions of seriously ill children have benefited from our amazing relationship together. And with this donation, even more kids will get to experience the magic of Disney,” Adam Garone, CEO, Starlight Children’s Foundation, said in a press release.
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The cast also got a chance to meet with kids from local Boys & Girls Clubs at The LEGO Store in Downtown Disney.
In an extra special surprise, the kids all walked away with new toys, including some inspired by the highly-anticipated film.
“The superheroes in Avengers personify traits like courage, perseverance, bravery and hope – the same traits countless kids and their families in children’s hospitals exhibit every day,” said Robert A. Iger, chairman and CEO of The Walt Disney Company, in a press release. “We are grateful to have the Avengers cast take time out of their day to be a part of this effort to lift spirits and bring comfort to children during a difficult time.”
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Rudd, who stars as Ant-Man in the film, shared that he felt “grateful and touched” to be able to be a part of the experience, according to the AP.
“I work with a lot of kids and families. It’s not just the kids. It’s the entire family. The parents, the brothers, the sisters. This is a real honor to give back,” the actor shared, before playfully adding, “I would like to say the Ant-Man toy is particularly small. So when you’re walking around barefoot, just be careful. It’s a little bit like stepping on a LEGO.”
Avengers: Endgame flies into theaters April 26.
