We recently visited Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton in Oceanside, California alongside our friends at Blue Star Families to make magic for some military families there by sharing the joy of reading and making meaningful family connections. Disney has enduring gratitude for those who serve in uniform and their families, and our collaboration with this nonprofit and their Blue Star Books program is among the many ways we honor those who serve.
During the event at Camp Pendleton on June 8, U.S. military children and their families received free Disney books and enjoyed other activities, including hearing a story read by a military service member and Disney VoluntEAR from Disneyland Resort and reading-themed crafts. Mickey Mouse also made a special appearance to the delight of the families there.
“The Walt Disney Company is honored to have worked with Blue Star Families for more than a decade to celebrate military and veteran families,” said Jessica Moore, vice president of government relations for The Walt Disney Company. “This collaboration shares the magic of our stories with the hope it inspires these military children to become the next generation of storytellers.”
For retired Marine Corps Warrant Officer and current Disneyland cast member Ariel Elias, returning to Camp Pendleton to make magic for military families was extra special.
“Military family life is both exciting and challenging so it’s special being able to help bring Disney magic to the base as a way to express our gratitude for the service and sacrifice of the military community here,” said Ariel, a manager of supplier diversity for Disneyland Resort.
Disney Publishing has been supporting the Blue Star Families “Blue Star Books” program since 2011, and has since donated more than 300,000 books in continuation of Disney’s longstanding history of supporting our country’s service members and their loved ones. The program has spanned the globe with Disney supporting Blue Star Books events at U.S. military bases across the United States.
For Meghan Wieten-Scott, a military spouse and current Senior Director of External Affairs for Blue Star Families, the Blue Star Books program is extra special as she has been part of it since the beginning.
“The magic of Disney has always been very special to our family, and when the opportunity to support Blue Star Families’ collaboration with The Walt Disney Company arose, I jumped at the opportunity to bring together my love of Disney with my passion for supporting the military community,” said Meghan. “My son has grown up attending these amazing events, and it brings me so much joy to watch other military families experience these special opportunities to make memories that will last a lifetime.”
Photos of Meghan and her son, Matthew attending Blue Star Books events in 2014 and in 2024 that were sponsored by Disney
Disney is thrilled to add joy to the lives of these military children in a way that promotes education and literacy. Our work with Blue Star Families is among the staple events in our pursuit of honoring U.S. military service members and their families.