Help us make sick children's wishes come true! This is our second year running (really walking fast) to raise money for this fantastic organization. We have set a small goal and I hope to surpass it (maybe even double it!)
This is my High School Band Director's story :
Marc Whitlock
Give Kids The World Village is an amazing place where kids with special medical circumstances are treated like rock stars. So many wishes DO come true for kids at this wonderful village/ accommodations.
We stayed here free of charge when my daughter was fighting cancer and it was an amazing place for all of us, not just my daughter. For obvious reasons, my family has donated back to GKTW as much as we can, as we believe in "paying it forward."
For those of you who have not been here and are wondering if you should donate, simply know that your donation will make a DIRECT impact in the joy of a child's life. A real smile, a real experience of happiness.
Imagine your child, YOUR child, fighting cancer, having heart issues, etc., and this company gave you a free vacation simply to give you and your family some fun, as they know you and your child have been through very hard times, and they simply want to give your child and family an escape from reality for a week. THAT'S what your donation will go for.....smiles, fun, and a brief escape from the struggles of life.
Please consider donating to this wonderful company via Katie. You will help give a family in need some of the best memories of their lives, and sadly, possibly the last vacation some kids will ever have, as not all the guests survive their struggles.
This is how meaningful your donation can be. Thank you for your time and consideration from the viewpoint of a joyous recipient! :-)
The story of Give Kids The World begins with a little girl with a wish and the desire of one man to make that wish come true.
The little girl's name was Amy. Amy had leukemia and one wish - to visit the theme parks in Orlando. To facilitate Amy's wish, the request of a complimentary stay was made to a respected hotelier. As he had done many times before, the hotelier gladly obliged and Amy's wish was that much closer to being realized. Sadly, the remainder of Amy's travel plans took too long to arrange and her wish was never granted; Amy had passed away. Time simply ran out.
This unfulfilled wish inspired a man, the hotelier, to make a vow that no child in need would ever be failed again. That man was Henri Landwirth and his desire to ensure that Amy's story would never repeat itself is where the story of Give Kids The World begins.
Landwirth enlisted the support of colleagues in the hospitality industry, including our world-famous theme parks, to assist him in bringing these special families to Central Florida within 24 hours if need be. He called the project “Give Kids The World,” because that is just what he intended to do - provide memorable, magical, cost-free experiences to children with life-threatening illnesses and their families.
As the program expanded and the number of families continued to grow, it was apparent that Give Kids The World would need to create a place that could better serve the special needs of our families. The gates of Give Kids The World Village opened in 1989.
Today the Village is a 70-acre resort complete with over 140 Villa accommodations, entertainment attractions, whimsical venues, and fun specifically designed for children with special needs.
With the help of many generous individuals, corporations and partnering wish-granting organizations, Give Kids The World has welcomed more than 115,000 families from all 50 states and over 70 countries.
http://www.givekidstheworld.org/