Disneyland, Avengers Unite $5 Million Grant For Ill Children

ANAHEIM, CA— The Avengers and Disneyland officials announced Friday a donation of about $5 million in cash and toys to children's hospitals across the country as a way to kick off the latest installment of the superhero film franchise.

Robert Downey Jr., Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson, Jeremy Renner, Paul Rudd and Brie Larson, the stars of "Avengers: Endgame" arrived at Disney California Adventure Park to announce the launching of Avengers Universe Unites, a philanthropic effort to benefit the company's Disney Team of Heroes, which caters to seriously ill children worldwide.

The stars announced the donation of $1 million in cash from Disney and about $4 million worth in toys from the Lego Group, Hasbro, Funko and Amazon to be sent to kids in children's hospitals throughout the U.S.

"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," Walt Disney Company Chairman and Chief Executive Robert A. Iger said. "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."

The stars joined in with children from Boys & Girls Clubs of Anaheim and Garden Grove in frolicking with a LEGO project while Amazon handed out movie-related toys.

"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," said Adam Garone, chief executive of 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."