Another Walk in the Park

Friday, October 24, 2008

Page 11

AT THE SIDEBAR (Column)

Another Walk in the Park

By J’AMY PACHECO

Several years ago, one of my Disney buddies suggested we sign up for a fundraising walk to benefit a children’s hospital.

The same friend had once suggested we sign up for the Los Angeles Marathon and being the lemming-like pal I tend to be, I said, “Okay.” Fortunately, she came to her senses before we attempted her crazy scheme, and we never even broke in our running shoes.

When the walk idea came up, I said, “Okay” again, even though I thought we’d never go through with it. Because we and, of course, our families, live about 100 miles from this hospital, it’s highly unlikely any of our children would ever have use for the hospital’s services.

But what was interesting about this walk was the fact that it would take place near dawn at my favorite place in the world: Disneyland. The opportunity to experience my happy place before it opened for the day was appealing in itself. When I learned that as holders of annual passes to the resort we could walk as part of Disney’s own VoluntEARS team, I knew we had to do it.

So nine of us hauled ourselves out of bed that day at 4:45 a.m., gagged down donuts in our hotel rooms, and walked a mile or so to Disneyland in time to be in the VoluntEARS team picture. About the time the sun came up, we joined around 15,000 other people for an early morning stroll throughout the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim.

We loved it. We were moved by the stories of former patients who had been helped by the Children’s Hospital of Orange County. We were touched by the sight of children being pulled in wagons or pushed in wheelchairs to raise funds for the hospital. Not all of the stories had happy endings; some of the walkers participated in memory of children who had been helped, but not cured.

We were moved enough to vow to return every year. Last weekend, we repeated the experience for the third time, right down to the donuts.

Since the age of 7, my daughter has been determined to become a Disney Imagineer (after graduating from the University of Southern California, of course). No hesitation, no wavering. If Disney hired 12-year-old Imagineers, she’d be the first ‘tween in line to apply.

Joining the VoluntEARS team is about as close as she can get to actually working for the company, at least until she’s old enough to drive. Persuading her to wake up painfully early, trudge through the empty streets of Anaheim to the park before dawn and walk four miles at sunup has therefore not been a problem.

This year was no exception. We added another family to our donut-eating-walking group, bringing our total up to 14. It wasn’t easy getting 14 people – eight of whom were children – up, dressed, fed and into the park before 6 a.m. In fact, we nearly didn’t make it, arriving just as the VoluntEARS photographer was climbing the ladder for the photo shoot. Phew.

With a quick burst of fireworks and a sprinkling of confetti, we again set off down Main Street. We were greeted by characters and cast members who waved to us. Girl Scout troops applauded us; young cheerleaders cheered us, firefighters passed out stickers, and some enterprising cast members donned the three-finger-and-a-thumb trademark gloves of Mickey Mouse and called out, “High four! High four!” (You’d be surprised how funny this is when you’ve been up since 4:45 a.m.)

This year, my walk buddy was a 9-year-old named Catelyn who was participating for the first time. She waved back at cast members and characters, marveled at how things look “backstage” at Disneyland, and asked about a bazillion questions.

It was a lot of fun experiencing pre-opening Disneyland through the eyes of a 9-year-old seeing it for the first time. Her constant chatter kept me awake, and very entertained.

She held my hand most of the way through, and I couldn’t help being struck by how lucky our group was. We all have healthy, happy children who were able to walk the whole distance without needing a wheelchair or a wagon.

Although the number of walkers was down this year, it was a good feeling to know we’d all helped to raise a lot of money for a place that treats sick children. It was even better knowing we did so as part of a team headed by Mickey Mouse.

The next time I see my pal, I think I’ll give her a “high four” for the suggestion. Hopefully, it will make her forget about the L.A. Marathon…