Disney VoluntEARS Send Anaheim Kids To Galaxy's Edge

ANAHEIM, CA — The day before Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge opened to the public, over 600 school kids from across Anaheim were invited to preview the new land thanks to Disney's VoluntEARS program. Groups such as YMCA, Boys and Girls Club of Anaheim, and Project S.A.Y. (Support Anaheim Youth) were on hand to walk through the main entrance and see the Millennium Falcon, try the food, see the shops and ride Smuggler's Run.

Many of these local kids have only been to Disneyland once or twice. Some have never walked through the main gates. To them, the day was a truly magical experience.

Disneyland Resort's VoluntEARS program gifted each of the local children and their chaperones a park-hopper ticket, a food voucher and a behind-the-scenes look into the world that is Galaxy's Edge before the rest of the world was allowed entrance. It was a "community day," according to VoluntEARS spokeswoman Diane Killeen.

"The program has been in operation for 35 years," Killeen told Patch. "Anytime there is a need in the community, Project VoluntEARS will be on hand to support them."

All cheered as they arrived inside the land. With eyes wide in wonder, they viewed the larger-than-life space port of Batuu, and lined up for the crown jewel of the soft opening — Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run.

"It was amazing," Sarai Orozco, a member of Project S.A.Y. told us. "I was a pilot in the ride." Her friends were engineers and gunners. It takes two pilots to fly the Millennium Falcon, and a whole lot of teamwork to keep the ship from flying apart.

Project S.A.Y. serves the youth of Anaheim Union School District, in both Junior High and High School. The group provides support for students and their families and engages Anaheim's youth in positive and constructive activities.

Only students who went "above and beyond" with leadership, problem solving and goal setting skills were invited to attend the once-in-a-lifetime event, a Project S.A.Y. representative told Patch.

The girls were over the moon as they exited the ride, in which groups of 6 work together to fly smuggled items through the New Order defenses. Riders become engineers, gunners, and pilots.

According to the girls, the ride works best for all when you work together.

"With teamwork, we were all able to figure it out," Sarai Orozco said. "It was an amazing adventure and an incredible experience."

Orozco lives in West Anaheim and is a volunteer with Project S.A.Y., Patch was told. She has never been to Disneyland before.

When asked what she wanted to do next while at Disneyland, Orozco smiled, saying:

"I just want to enjoy the moment."