I was listening in on The Walt Disney Company’s Q1 Earnings Report this week, and as Bob Iger abruptly mentioned a cost reduction plan that is being implemented, my stomach started to turn. Sure enough, the devastating words followed, detailing 7000 jobs that would be cut. The words slithered into the one-sided conversation while muted media from around the country listened in. Even though none of us could hear each other, you could feel the devastated sighs and disbelief reverberate throughout his audience. My thoughts immediately turned to all the cast members, about to see breaking news announcements like our own, letting them know that their livelihood was in jeopardy.

I’ve wanted to start something like this for a while now, and what better time than when Disney employees are feeling worried and unappreciated? I want to hear your best cast member stories as we show some love for the job they do for us. Remember, it won’t just be CMs from the parks; I want to extend this to all Disney employees. That incredible person that assisted you on a support call, or the Imagineers whose creativity brightened your life.

This one is from me.

To the Disney cast member who saw me struggling in a shopping mall more than ten years ago when my daughter was having a meltdown, and my exhaustion was showing. This beautiful young lady who was preparing for her Disney Store to open very respectfully approached us. She used all of her Disney expertise to talk to my little girl, explaining that the store would be opening soon and that something magical was about to happen. The cast member was talking about the opening ceremony that we had never seen before at that point. My girl listened intently and followed the lady back to the front of the store, ready to take her official place in the opening process. I will never forget taking a deep breath that day when my little girl’s face shifted from overwhelmed to excited, thanks to the caring and supportive way that person approached us. Sometimes the little moments mean the most, and this is one I will never forget. I wish I knew the person’s name, though I suspect she had helped many parents out in similar ways over time.

Now, share your best Disney cast member story.

The post Dear Disney Cast Members; Send Your Message to the Makers of Magic. first appeared on DIS.