Disney's Friends for Change (also referred to as Friends for Change: Project Green) is a pro-social environmental initiative that was used by Disney Channel from 2009 until the mid-2010s.[citation needed]

History

Actors from Disney Channel shows were featured in television and radio campaigns encouraging young fans to take action on environmental issues in four key areas: climate, waste, water, and habitat. Demi Lovato, Miley Cyrus, Selena Gomez, and the Jonas Brothers were among the original stars in the 30-second to two-minute public service announcements airing on Disney Channel and Radio Disney. As part of the initiative, viewers were encouraged to pledge online to adopt environmentally-friendly habits such as recycling through the Disney Channel website. They could also vote to help choose how Disney would invest one million dollars in various environmental programs.

The initiative was presented instead of the 2009 and 2010 Disney Channel Games. The first Disney's Friends for Change Games premiered June 24, 2011, on Disney Channel, replacing the Disney Channel Games. A special 30-minute program called Lights, Camera, Take Action! Backstage with Disney's Friends for Change, which was shown on Disney Channel after the premiere of Wizards of Waverly Place: The Movie, was hosted by Tiffany Thornton and directed by Michael Blum and Tracy Pion. It showcased behind-the-scenes footage during the making of the project.

Over the years, over 56 Disney Channel and Disney XD stars participated in the initiative. Some participants left the initiative when their show ended. The program was quietly discontinued in the mid-2010s.[citation needed]

Friends for Change Games

The first Disney's Friends for Change Games premiered June 24, 2011, on Disney Channel, replacing the Disney Channel Games. A special 30-minute program called Lights, Camera, Take Action! Backstage with Disney's Friends for Change, which was shown on Disney Channel after Wizards of Waverly Place: The Movie premiered, was hosted by Tiffany Thornton and directed by Michael Blum and Tracy Pion. It showcased behind-the-scenes footage during the making of the project.

Participants

Below is a list of stars that participated in the initiative.

StarShow/Film Representing
Nicole Gale AndersonJonas
Moisés AriasHannah Montana
Jake T. AustinWizards of Waverly Place, Wizards of Waverly Place: The Movie
Miley CyrusHannah Montana
Matthew "Mdot" FinleyCamp Rock 2: The Final Jam
Jordan FrancisCamp Rock, Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam
Selena GomezWizards of Waverly Place, Princess Protection Program, Wizards of Waverly Place: The Movie
David HenrieWizards of Waverly Place, Wizards of Waverly Place: The Movie
Joe JonasJonas, Camp Rock, Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam
Kevin Jonas
Nick Jonas
Demi LovatoSonny with a Chance, Camp Rock, Princess Protection Program, Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam, As the Bell Rings
Meaghan MartinCamp Rock, Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam
Kyle MasseyCory in the House, That's So Raven, Fish Hooks, American Dragon: Jake Long, Life is Ruff
Emily OsmentHannah Montana
Bradley Steven PerryGood Luck Charlie, Mighty Med, Lab Rats: Elite Force, Good Luck Charlie, It's Christmas!
Anna Maria Perez de TagleCamp Rock, Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam
Jasmine RichardsCamp Rock, Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam, Naturally, Sadie
Jake ShortA.N.T. Farm, Mighty Med, Lab Rats: Elite Force
Brenda SongGet a Clue, The Suite Life of Zack & Cody, The Suite Life on Deck, Stuck in the Suburbs, Wendy Wu: Homecoming Warrior, The Suite Life Movie
Cole SprouseThe Suite Life of Zack & Cody,The Suite Life on Deck, The Suite Life Movie
Dylan Sprouse
Jennifer StoneWizards of Waverly Place, Wizards of Waverly Place: The Movie
Alyson StonerThe Suite Life of Zack & Cody,The Suite Life on Deck, Phineas and Ferb, Camp Rock, Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam
Gregg SulkinWizards of Waverly Place, Avalon High
Brandon Mychal SmithSonny with a Chance, So Random!, Let it Shine
Caroline SunshineShake It Up
Bella ThorneShake It Up, Frenemies
Tiffany ThorntonSonny with a Chance, So Random!
Doug Brochu
Allisyn Ashley Arm
Chloe BridgesCamp Rock 2: The Final Jam
Kelsey ChowPair of Kings, Den Brother
Davis ClevelandShake It Up
Hutch DanoZeke and Luther, Den Brother
Jason DolleyHatching Pete, Good Luck Charlie, Good Luck Charlie, It's Christmas!
Kenton DutyShake It Up
Roshon FeganCamp Rock, Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam, Shake It Up
Adam HicksZeke and Luther, Lemonade Mouth
Adam IrigoyenShake It Up
Sterling KnightSonny with a Chance, So Random!, Starstruck
Daniel Curtis LeeZeke and Luther
Caitlyn Taylor LoveI'm in the Band
Bridgit MendlerGood Luck Charlie, Lemonade Mouth, Good Luck Charlie, It's Christmas!
Logan MillerI'm in the Band
Mitchel MussoHannah Montana, Pair of Kings, Hatching Pete, Phineas and Ferb
Ryan NewmanZeke and Luther
Ryan OchoaPair of Kings
Doc ShawThe Suite Life on Deck, Pair of Kings
Carlon JefferyA.N.T. Farm, Cloud 9
Sierra McCormickA.N.T. Farm
Stefanie ScottA.N.T. Farm, Frenemies
China Anne McClainA.N.T. Farm, How to Build a Better Boy
Chelsea KaneJonas, Fish Hooks
Jason EarlesHannah Montana, Kickin' It
Debby RyanThe Suite Life on Deck, Jessie, The Suite Life Movie, Radio Rebel
Ross LynchAustin & Ally, Teen Beach Movie, Teen Beach 2
Laura MaranoAustin & Ally, Bad Hair Day
Cameron BoyceJessie, Gamer's Guide to Pretty Much Everything, Descendants
ZendayaShake It Up, Frenemies, K.C. Undercover, Zapped
Karan BrarJessie, Bunk'd, Invisible Sister
Skai JacksonJessie, Bunk'd
Peyton ListJessie, Bunk'd, The Swap

Donations

AmountOrganizationIntent
$100,000Wildlife Conservation SocietyTo protect arctic wildlife from the effects of climate change
$50,000San Bernardino National Forest AssociationTo be used in the SBNFA's Children's Forest, where children plant new trees
$50,000BirdLife International and Haribon FoundationTo protect endangered tropical forests in the Philippines
$25,000CHF InternationalTo decrease pollution and deforestation by sending fuel-efficient stoves to Rwanda
$25,000ECOLIFE Foundation InternationalTo help end deforestation in the Oyamel forest in Mexico
$10,000Arbor Day FoundationTo replant trees in Florida state forests damaged by wildfires

"Send It On"

"Make a Wave"

"Make a Wave" is a song sung by Demi Lovato and Joe Jonas for Disney's Friends for Change, a charity group formed by Disney for their "Friends for Change" campaign. The song was written by Scott Krippayne and Jeff Peabody, the same team that wrote Jordin Sparks' song "This Is My Now" for American Idol. "Make a Wave" was introduced and performed at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. It was also featured in the 2009 Disneynature film Oceans.

Background

The song debuted on February 26, 2010 on Radio Disney, peaking at number 4 on the Top 30 Countdown, while the music video premiered on Disney Channel on March 14, 2010, and was released online the following day at Disney.com. "Make a Wave" was available beginning March 15, 2010 on iTunes, with all proceeds benefiting environmental charities through the Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund. Oceans was released in theaters on April 22, 2010 (Earth Day).

Music video

The music video premiered on Disney Channel on March 14, 2010 and was released online the following day at Disney.com. It was directed by Michael Blum and Tracy Pion, and was filmed at Point Dume in Malibu. The video features Joe and Demi enjoying the beach and performing the song, intercut with footage from the film Oceans.

Chart performance

The song peaked at number 84 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song was a success on Radio Disney's Top 30 Countdown.

Track listings

  • U.S. / Digital Download
  1. "Make a Wave" (Digital Download) – 4:01
  2. "Make a Wave" (Instrumental) – 3:48

Charts

Chart (2010)Peak position
US Billboard Hot 10084

Awards

YearCategoryWorkResultAwardRef.
2011"Charity Single"Make a WaveWonDo Something Awards

"We Can Change the World"

"We Can Change the World" is a song sung by Bridgit Mendler for the Disney's Friends for Change campaign and specifically, for the first Disney's Friends for Change Games. The song was written by Mendler and Joacim Persson.

Background

The song premiered on Radio Disney on June 10, 2011. With its release, Disney donated $250,000 to the Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund. The song was made available for download on the Friends for Change website and on iTunes on June 11. All proceeds went to environmental charities, similar to the other songs released for the initiative.

Music video

The music video premiered on Disney Channel on June 10, 2011. It was directed by Art Spigel, director of the Disney's Friends for Change Games, and was filmed on-location at Disney Golden Oak Ranch in Los Angeles, California. The song features Mendler singing in a park with a camera in her hand and into a microphone. Children from all over the world eventually join her in singing the anthem, including international Disney Channel stars Valeria Baroni, Jorge Blanco, Olavo Cavalheiro, Nicole Ishida, Murtuza Kutianawala and Eve Ottino.

Track listings

  • U.S. / Digital download
  1. "We Can Change the World" – 3:19
  • U.K. / Digital download
  1. "We Can Change the World" – 3:19
  2. "We Can Change the World (Instrumental)" – 3:19

Release history

CountryDateFormatLabel
United StatesJune 11, 2011Digital downloadHollywood Records

"Rise"

"Rise" is a song sung by McClain Sisters for the Disney's Friends for Change campaign for the second Disney's Friends for Change Games. It was also used in the end credits of the Disneynature film, Chimpanzee. The song was written by the McClains.

Background

The song premiered on iTunes on March 23, 2012.

Music video

The music video premiered on Vevo on March 26, 2012.

Track listings

  • U.S. / Digital Download
  1. "Rise" (Digital Download) – 4:11

Charts

Chart (2012)Peak position
US Kid Digital Songs (Billboard)4

External links