Disney donates $1 million to One Orlando fund for victims of nightclub shooting

Tuesday, City of Orlando officials unveiled a new fund to support victims of last weekend’s deadly attack at a gay nightclub.

The One Orlando Fund will aid victims and survivors, their families, and various communities affected by the attack at the Pulse club on Saturday night, now the most lethal mass shooting in American history.

Stepping up to bankroll the fund: Disney, the area’s most influential business and cultural institution. City officials have confirmed the entertainment giant donated $1 million to kickstart the fund’s efforts.

“We are heartbroken by this tragedy and hope our commitment will help those in the community affected by this senseless act,” said Bob Chapek, chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts.

“With 74,000 cast members who call Orlando home,” Chapek said, referring to the park’s myriad employees, “we mourn the loss of the victims and offer our condolences to their families, friends and loved ones.”

According to a news release, Disney has also been working in coordination with other agencies and officials to provide assistance to other types of support. These include blood donations via OneBlood, and through an effort led by the city and the Central Florida Hotel & Lodging Association to provide temporary housing accommodations for the families and friends of the victims.

The fund — which supporters can donate to at OneOrlando.org — will go to a nonprofit called Strengthen Orlando, founded in 2009 to benefit “municipal purposes of the City of Orlando that will ultimately help strengthen our community.”