Give Kids The World
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Give Kids The World Village is a nonprofit resort in Kissimmee, Florida for children with life-threatening illnesses and their families. Wish-granting organizations coordinate transportation to Central Florida, while Give Kids The World provides accommodations at its whimsical resort, meals for a weeklong vacation and donated tickets to local attractions such as Walt Disney World Resort, SeaWorld and Universal Orlando Resort.
According to the charity's website, children between the ages of 3 and 18 who have been diagnosed with a life-threatening illness by a licensed doctor may visit. Children are sponsored in their local communities by one of over 250 organizations, including wish-granting foundations, children's hospitals and hospices that partner with Give Kids The World to serve these families.
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[edit] Mission statement
Give Kids The World is a nonprofit organization that exists only to fulfill the wishes of all children with life-threatening illnesses and their families from around the world to experience a memorable, joyful, cost-free visit to the Central Florida attractions, and to enjoy the magic of Give Kids The World Village for as long as there is a need.
[edit] Facilities
Give Kids The World Village includes 102 duplex-style villas, a whimsical restaurant, a play area in the shape of a castle, an ice cream palace, a movie theater, an interactive water park, a fishing pond, a chapel, a butterfly garden, and a dinosaur-themed miniature golf course. An expansion project currently is under way to increase the resort's capacity to host "wish children" and their families.
[edit] History
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The dream of one child motivated Henri Landwirth to ensure that no child would ever be refused their one special wish.
Henri Landwirth, well respected in the Central Florida hotel industry, had offered accommodations at his hotel establishment to a family whose young daughter was suffering from leukemia. However, he was deeply saddened to learn that before they were able to finalize a multitude of arrangements for her special trip, that little one lost her battle and was not able to experience her Wish. Landwirth immediately called upon colleagues in the hospitality industry, including the world-famous theme parks, to assist him with a project to bring families to Central Florida with less than 24 hours notice, if the situation called for such action. Before long, Henri and two staff members began arranging Wish vacations out of a converted storeroom in one of his hotels. He named the fledgling organization after its mission, "Give Kids The World," because that is just what he intended to do.
Soon major corporations committed to providing many of the services families would require in their stay, but the number of requests was quickly outgrowing the lodging that the hotel industry could provide. In addition, the hotels at the time were not equipped to deal with the needs of families with children with life-threatening illnesses.
With help from friends from his early days as a Hotel Manager in Cocoa Beach, Henri’s vision soon became a reality. In 1986, Give Kids The World was officially founded and Give Kids The World Village was then able to open its gates to welcome its very first family in early 1989.
Today, the Village features 96-villas, a whimsical restaurant, a play area in the shape of a castle, an ice cream palace, a movie theater, an interactive water park, a fishing pond, a peaceful chapel, and so much more. Every year, the Village welcomes families from communities in all 50 states and from over 50 countries.
From the very first family who visited in 1986, to the families that are arriving at the gates of the Village today, thousands of Wish Families each year have enjoyed a few precious days away from hospitals, doctor visits and medical treatments. For one week, parents have the chance to see their children laughing and having fun, without worrying about doctors or hospitals. And kids get the opportunity to see their parents having fun and not worrying about money, appointments, or anything at all. United in their desire to be a family and to have fun, they relax in a special environment filled with laughter, joy and hugs.
And it all began because one little girl's dream touched the heart of a man who cared.
