| Give Kids the World Village | |
|---|---|
| Motto | Where Happiness Inspires Hope |
| Formation | 1989 |
| Purpose/focus | Resort for children with life threatening illnesses and their families |
| Headquarters | Kissimmee, Florida |
| Location | Kissimmee, Florida |
| Region served | Worldwide |
| President | Pamela Landwirth |
| Main organ | board of directors |
| Budget | $31.6 million US |
| Website | Official website |
Give Kids The World Village is a nonprofit resort in Kissimmee, Florida for children with life-threatening illnesses and their families. Children between the ages of 3 and 18 who have been diagnosed with a life-threatening illness by a licensed doctor are eligible for a GKTW Wish. One of over 250 wish-granting organizations worldwide coordinates transportation to Central Florida, while Give Kids The World provides accommodations at its resort, meals for a week-long vacation, and donated admission tickets to local attractions including Walt Disney World Resort, SeaWorld, and Universal Orlando Resort.
Tickets are also available for other attractions if requested. Busch Gardens in Tampa is one of the many places that can be requested. The location of the "Give Kids the World Village" is relatively close to most of the popular attractions. This is setup in a way so the families do not have to travel far. The child with a life-threatening illness is given a special badge with his or her name on it that grants access to shorter lines or the disability entrance to many of the parks.
Give Kids the World was founded by Henri Landwirth, a Belgian Holocaust survivor who spent 5 years in Auschwitz and Matthausen concentration camps. Landwirth immigrated to the United States, where he studied hotel management. While operating a hotel in the Orlando area, he became passionate about helping sick children fulfill their dream of a family vacation.[1] The resort's focus is providing accommodations and access to donated theme park tickets. Access provided through partner "wish granting" organizations such as the Make-A-Wish Foundation.[2]
The organization's executive advisory board includes author Ken Blanchard, astronaut Scott Carpenter, former senator John Glenn, anthropologist Jane Goodall, actor John Stamos, and Walt Disney Parks and Resorts president Al Weiss along with representatives from Universal Orlando and Seaworld.[2] The village is operated by a small professional staff augemented by thousands of volunteers each year. Roughly 1200 volunteer shifts are completed each week.[3]
The Village has a whimsical theme. It features 141 family villa accommodations, the Gingerbread House Restaurant, the Castle of Miracles and it's Enchanted Carousel, the Ice Cream Palace, Julie's Safari Theatre, Matthew's Boundless Playground, and other attractions and facilities for its guests. Every year, the Village welcomes more than 7,000 families; in 2010, it welcomed its 107,000th family from across the United States and more than 70 other countries.
The organization partners with corporations for volunteers, donations and in the case of Boston Market and Perkins Restaurant and Bakery, restaurants supplied with both food and volunteers inside the resort.[4] Families are also provided with a complimentary rental car courtesy of Avis Rent a Car during their stay which they pickup at the VIP counter at the Orlando airport. With the exception of certain souvenirs, there is no charge to the chidlren or their families for rooms, food, ice cream, treats, transportation, activities, or anything else on site (known being "Within The Village"). [1]