“I’m proud to be involved with these VoluntEAR opportunities because I know I’m not just impacting one family’s experience on one day,” said Reif about the many hours he spends every week volunteering at Give Kids The World Village (GKTW). “I’m helping to ensure that every family that comes to the Village has a better experience.”

Give Kids the World is a non-profit resort in Kissimmee that offers children with life-threatening illnesses and their families, free, weeklong vacations where they can experience the best of Central Florida. Since 1986, GKTW has welcomed more than 115,000 families from all 50 states and more than 70 countries. The organization depends on volunteers to fulfill approximately 1,500 shifts every week.

“I’m one of the facilitators of new volunteer orientation, which gives me the ability to use my Disney storytelling skills to get new volunteers excited about joining the team,” said Brian, a Cast Member since 2002.

Behind the scenes, Reif, who works as an information technology specialist at Team Disney, applies his expertise with computers and technology to improve several operational areas at the Village, including efficiency, training and overall experience.

“That kind of dedication is paramount to making an operation like ours run at all, let alone smoothly,” said Charlie Diauto, associate manager with Volunteer Services at Give Kids The World Village. “Brian does an incredible job in that he fulfills and then exceeds those expectations as a volunteer.”

Reif is one of thousands of Disney VoluntEARS who donate their time and resources to help community organizations. Last year Cast Members volunteered 208,000 hours to local groups and earned more than $800,00 in grants for Central Florida nonprofits. Nearly 700 Walt Disney World VoluntEARS also received the President’s Volunteer Service Award from the White House for contributing more than 100 hours of service.

Surrounding Tom Sawyer’s Island on the Rivers of America, the racers started near Country Bears Jamboree, passing by Big Thunder Mountain and Haunted Mansion,  rounding the corner near Liberty Square’s Riverboat to the finish line.

The annual two-week event began at Walt Disney World in 1973 after the tradition was started in Disneyland in 1963. C.R.O.W. is the only Cast event with similar races held in Disney Parks around the globe.

“Tradition is very important to our company”, said Paige McCalmon, events and operations delivery manager at Walt Disney World. “It is a great team and camaraderie builder, and it is uniquely Disney.”

To be a crew, eight to 10 people must be on the roster.  Generally, the team name is derived from work location or area of expertise.

The Grand Champion of C.R.O.W. 2012 was the Industrial Engineering Oars 3 team which took home the coveted title and bragging rights for the coming year.

The Spirit Award was given to the “Tough Cookies” team for showing tremendous support for their fellow competitors and cheering them on from start to finish.

Prior to the final race on July 20th, all teams were allowed two practice heats and a chance to attend a steering clinic.