| Disney's Friends for Change | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Also known as | Disney's Friends for Change Friends for Change: Project Green |
| Genre | Public service announcement |
| Starring | 56 Disney Channel and Disney XD stars |
| Narrated by | 56 Disney Channel and Disney XD stars |
| Opening theme | "Send It On"1 "Make a Wave" "We Can Change the World" "Rise" |
| Countries of origin | United States, Canada |
| Original language | English |
| Production | |
| Running time | 30 seconds - 2 minutes |
| Original release | |
| Network | Disney Channel |
| Release | May 15, 2009 (2009-05-15) |
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.
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.2
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.3
Over the years, over 56 Disney Channel and Disney XD stars participated in the initiative. Some participants left the initiative when their show ended.4 The program was quietly discontinued in the mid-2010s.
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.5
Participants
Below is a list of stars that participated in the initiative.
Donations
| Amount | Organization | Intent67 |
|---|---|---|
| $100,000 | Wildlife Conservation Society | To protect arctic wildlife from the effects of climate change |
| $50,000 | San Bernardino National Forest Association | To be used in the SBNFA's Children's Forest, where children plant new trees |
| $50,000 | BirdLife International and Haribon Foundation | To protect endangered tropical forests in the Philippines |
| $25,000 | CHF International | To decrease pollution and deforestation by sending fuel-efficient stoves to Rwanda |
| $25,000 | ECOLIFE Foundation International | To help end deforestation in the Oyamel forest in Mexico |
| $10,000 | Arbor Day Foundation | To replant trees in Florida state forests damaged by wildfires |
"Send It On"
"Make a Wave"
| "Make a Wave" | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Promotional single by Demi Lovato and Joe Jonas | |
| Released | February 26, 2010 |
| Recorded | 2009 |
| Genre | Pop |
| Length | 4:01 |
| Label | Walt Disney, Hollywood |
| Songwriters | Scott Krippayne, Jeff Peabody |
| Music video | |
| "Make a Wave" on YouTube | |
"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
- "Make a Wave" (Digital Download) – 4:01
- "Make a Wave" (Instrumental) – 3:48
Charts
| Chart (2010) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| US Billboard Hot 100 | 84 |
Awards
| Year | Category | Work | Result | Award | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | "Charity Single" | Make a Wave | Won | Do Something Awards | 8 |
"We Can Change the World"
| "We Can Change the World" | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Promotional single by Bridgit Mendler | |
| Released | June 11, 2011 |
| Recorded | 2011 |
| Genre | Pop |
| Length | 3:19 |
| Label | Hollywood |
| Songwriters |
|
"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.9 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 11.9 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.9
Track listings
- U.S. / Digital download
- "We Can Change the World" – 3:19
- U.K. / Digital download
- "We Can Change the World" – 3:19
- "We Can Change the World (Instrumental)" – 3:19
Release history
| Country | Date | Format | Label |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | June 11, 2011 | Digital download | Hollywood Records |
"Rise"
| "Rise" | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Promotional single by McClain Sisters | |
| Released | March 26, 2012 |
| Recorded | 2012 |
| Genre | |
| Length | 4:11 |
| Label | Walt Disney, Hollywood |
| Songwriter | The McClains |
"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.1011 It was also used in the end credits of the Disneynature film, Chimpanzee.12 The song was written by the McClains.13
Background
The song premiered on iTunes on March 23, 2012.14
Music video
The music video premiered on Vevo on March 26, 2012.15
Track listings
- U.S. / Digital Download
- "Rise" (Digital Download) – 4:11
Charts
| Chart (2012) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| US Kid Digital Songs (Billboard)16 | 4 |
References
References
- Lovato, Demi (June 6, 2009). "Demi Lovato Twitter (ddlovato)". Demi Lovato via Twitter. Retrieved August 13, 2009.
- "The Walt Disney Company Launches Friends for Change". Disney Channel. May 15, 2009. Archived from the original on May 19, 2009. Retrieved June 5, 2009.
- ""Send It On," An Anthem By The World's Biggest Teen Stars, Miley Cyrus, Jonas Brothers, Selena Gomez and Demi Lovato, For Disney's "Friends for Change: Project Green," Will Debut on Radio Disney, Disney Channel, Disney.com and iTunes" (Press release). Disney Channel. August 6, 2009. Archived from the original on January 13, 2010. Retrieved August 19, 2011.
- "Disney's Friends for Change Ambassadors". Disney Channel. Archived from the original on July 7, 2012. Retrieved December 22, 2025.
- ""Send It On," An Anthem By The World's Biggest Teen Stars, Miley Cyrus, Jonas Brothers, Selena Gomez and Demi Lovato, For Disney's "Friends for Change: Project Green," Will Debut on Radio Disney, Disney Channel, Disney.com and iTunes" (Press release). Disney Channel. August 6, 2009. Archived from the original on January 13, 2010. Retrieved August 19, 2011.
- "Friends for Change: Project Green - Charitable Giving Programs". Disney Channel. Retrieved August 19, 2011.
- Cruger, Roberta (August 12, 2009). "Disney's Green Teens: BFFs For Change". Treehugger. Retrieved August 19, 2011.
- "Do Something Awards Nominees | Vanity & Veins". Archived from the original on March 14, 2016. Retrieved August 24, 2012.
- "Premiere of Disney's Friends for Change Anthem "We Can Change The World," Performed By Bridgit Mendler, Friday, June 10 on Disney Channel and Radio Disney". Disney Channel Medianet. Archived from the original on September 21, 2013. Retrieved June 9, 2011.
- "McCLAIN SISTERS NOW SIGNS TO HOLLYWOOD RECORDS!". CLINTON LINDSAY. March 14, 2012. Retrieved January 9, 2024.
- "Official website for The McClain Sisters featuring news, music, videos, album info, tour dates, and more". October 23, 2013. Archived from the original on October 23, 2013. Retrieved January 9, 2024.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link) - Chimpanzee (Motion picture). Disneynature. 2012.
- Chimpanzee (Motion picture). Disneynature. 2012.
- "iTunes - Music - Rise (feat. McClain Sisters) [From "Disneynature: Chimpanzee] Single by Disney Friends for Change". iTunes. Apple. Archived from the original on March 31, 2012. Retrieved June 15, 2012.
- McClain Sisters (March 26, 2012). McClain Sisters - Rise (from Disneynature's Chimpanzee) (Music video). Archived from the original on December 20, 2021. Retrieved June 15, 2012.
- "June 30, 2012 - Kid Digital Songs". Billboard. September 8, 2012. Retrieved September 13, 2012.