'Avengers: Endgame' Stars Come Together to Benefit Starlight Children's Foundation

Disney assembled its own crew of real-life Avengers for the return of Avengers Universe Unites.

Together with The Walt Disney Company, Hasbro, Funko, The LEGO Group, and Amazon teamed to donate more than $5 million in cash and toys to Starlight Children’s Foundation. The donation will benefit children’s hospitals across the country, in addition to Give Kids the World Village, a nonprofit resort in central Florida

Robert A. Iger, chairman and CEO of The Walt Disney Company, joined the kickoff celebration at Disneyland Resort to launch the charity event for a second year in support of the company’s signature philanthropic commitment, Disney Team of Heroes.

Cast from Marvel Studios’ Avengers: Endgame were in attendance at Disney California Adventure Park, where Robert Downey Jr. (Iron Man), Chris Hemsworth (Thor), Scarlett Johansson (Black Widow), Jeremy Renner (Hawkeye/Ronin), Paul Rudd (Ant-Man), and Brie Larson (Captain Marvel) spent time with kids from the Boys & Girls Clubs of Anaheim and Garden Grove.

Avengers Universe Unites

“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,” says Iger. “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.”

Avengers Universe Unites

Activities included a LEGO build at The LEGO Store in Downtown Disney, and a visit by Amazon’s Treasure Truck — fully-stocked with Avengers: Endgame toys, including Hasbro action figures, Iron Man MK50 robots by UBTECH, and Funko POP! vinyl figures.

Avengers Universe Unites

“Nobody understands magical experiences better than Disney, and we’ve been proud to partner with them in bringing those experiences to kids in children’s hospitals for more than 20 years,” added Adam Garone, CEO, Starlight Children’s Foundation. “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.”

Photos: The Walt Disney Company

About the author

James Zahn

James Zahn, AKA The Rock Father, is Editor-in-Chief of The Toy Book, a Senior Editor at The Toy Insider and The Pop Insider, and Editor of The Toy Report, The Toy Book‘s weekly industry newsletter. As a pop culture and toy industry expert, Zahn has appeared as a panelist and guest at events including Comic-Con International: San Diego (SDCC) Wizard World Chicago, and the ASTRA Marketplace & Academy. Zahn has more than 30 years of experience in the entertainment, retail, and publishing industries, and is frequently called upon to offer expert commentary for publications such as Forbes, Marketwatch, the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times, USA Today, Reuters, the Washington Post, and more. James has appeared on History Channel’s Modern Marvels, was interviewed by Larry King and Anderson Cooper, and has been seen on Yahoo! Finance, CNN, CNBC, FOX Business, NBC, ABC, CBS, WGN, The CW, and more. Zahn joined the Adventure Media & Events family in 2016, initially serving as a member of the Parent Advisory Board after penning articles for the Netflix Stream Team, Fandango Family, PBS KIDS, Sprout Parents (now Universal Kids), PopSugar, and Chicago Parent. He eventually joined the company full time as a Senior Editor and moved up the ranks to Deputy Editor and Editor-in-Chief.

‘Avengers: Endgame’ Stars Come Together to Benefit Starlight Children’s Foundation

About the author

James Zahn