Universal Studios Hollywood Employees Volunteer at 'Day of Giving' Community Outreach Program

As part of Universal Studios Hollywood's annual "Day of Giving" community outreach event, hundreds of employee volunteers will band together to bring magic to six LA-based non-profit community organizations on Thursday, November 10, 2016.

The inspirational "Day of Giving" event is a yearly Universal Studios Hollywood tradition designed to connect employees with diverse community organizations, many of which are beneficiaries of the Discover A Star Foundation whose mission is to empower individuals and families to lead more productive and fulfilling lives.

On this 12th "Day of Giving" anniversary, Universal Studios Hollywood will serve as home base for two of the six event locations, hosting Operation School Bell and Habitat for Humanity.

In support of Operation School Bell, 250 homeless children from over 20 LAUSD elementary and middle schools will be treated to new clothing, sneakers and school supplies, followed by an afternoon of theme park fun that includes a visit to "The Wizarding World of Harry Potter TM," a chance to visit with Minions and experience the popular "Despicable Me Minion Mayhem" ride and "Super Silly Fun Land" play zone, and venture aboard the world-famous Studio Tour to experience the epic "Fast & Furious - Supercharged" thrill ride.

For the first time, Habitat for Humanity will join the "Day of Giving" roster with employee volunteers crafting elaborate playhouses to accompany homes built by the organization.

The day-long event will also send hundreds of employee volunteers around Los Angeles to help support community-building efforts at the following organizations: AIDS Project L.A. (APLA), where employees will volunteer at the North Hollywood food pantry and help assemble food bags for clients; Children's Hospital Los Angeles, where volunteers will visit patients, distribute gifts and assist with arts & crafts; Project Angel Food, where employee volunteers will prepare and package meals for terminally ill clients; and Shane's Inspiration, where employees will take part in a "play date" with special needs children at a nearby Shane's Inspiration playground.

Supported by Universal Studios Hollywood, Discover A Star Foundation is committed to making a significant impact in local underserved communities by providing grants to deserving non-profit organizations. Originally founded in 1995, Discover A Star's mission is to provide financial assistance to neighboring nonprofit groups. To date, Discover A Star Foundation has raised over $8 million and provided financial assistance to over 65 non-profit organizations.

Universal Studios Hollywood™ is The Entertainment Capital of L.A. and includes a full-day, movie-based theme park and Studio Tour. As a leading global entertainment destination, Universal Studios Hollywood delivers highly themed immersive lands that translate to real-life interpretations of iconic movie and television shows. Recent additions include "The Wizarding World of Harry Potter TM" which features a bustling Hogsmeade village and such critically-acclaimed rides as "Harry Potter and the FORBIDDEN Journey" and "Flight of the Hippogriff™," Universal Studios Hollywood's first outdoor rollercoaster, as well the all-new "The Walking Dead" permanent daytime attraction. Other immersive lands include "Despicable Me Minion Mayhem" and "Super Silly Fun Land" as well as "Springfield," hometown of America's favorite TV family, located adjacent to the award-winning "The Simpsons RideTM." The world-renowned Studio Tour is Universal Studios Hollywood's flagship attraction, inviting guests behind-the-scenes of the world's biggest and busiest movie and television studio where they can also experience such authentic and immersive thrill rides as "Fast & Furious-Supercharged." The destination also features the Universal CityWalk entertainment, shopping and dining complex, including the Universal CityWalk Cinemas and the "5 Towers" state-of-the-art outdoor concert venue.