Cast Member Lee Wilson thought he was just going to a dinner at the 2015 Annual Meeting for the Boys & Girls Club of Central Florida at the Grand Bohemian Hotel Orlando Feb. 5. While there, he was surprised to be part of the program, when he heard his name called as a 2014 Volunteer of the Year.
“Lee Wilson was chosen as a Volunteer of the Year due to his continuous support and commitment to the Walt Disney World Clubhouse and its members,” Jose Bastias, senior service director, Walt Disney World Clubhouse, Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Florida. “Lee has a passion for seeing young people succeed. He has gone above and beyond to teach teenagers valuable skills in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math).”
Two days each week Wilson and other Cast Members from Disney Design and Engineering, Safety and Walt Disney Imagineering drive from Disney property to the Pine Hills area of Orlando to the Boys & Girls Club Walt Disney World Clubhouse. There they teach approximately 10 kids science and technology skills as part of the club’s Rock Star Robotics program http://rockstarrobotics.wix.com/rockstarrobot. They make math and science fun, imaginative and exciting, as the kids build robots. Since 2010, the Rock Stars have enrolled in 12 competitions, most noticeably receiving the 2013 Judges Award by the Orlando FIRST League.
“Overall, the program is a great platform to introduce our members to careers in science, building leaderships skills, getting involved in your local community involvement and learning to work within a team,” Bastias added.”
Wilson has VoluntEARed at the Boys & Girls Club Walt Disney World Clubhouse for five years.
“I share [this] award with Angel Price and the other coaches [who] provide a consistent dedication to being mentors for the kids, “ said Wilson, an engineer with Design and Engineering. “My mom taught me that no matter what situation you are in, you are always in a position to help others. It is the only way to change things in the world.”