As a breast cancer survivor, I know first-hand how painful a disease can be on a person and their family. I could not imagine being a young child and not understanding why they are sick. These organizations put their own time into making sure kids who visit have their dreams come true. Today I wanted to share my Give Kids The World Village Tour and How You Can Help.
I was invited to Give Kids The World Village in Kissimmee Florida for a social media influencer take over
Give Kids The World Village Tour | How Can You Help?
As a social media influencer, one of my goals has been to share about nonprofit organizations such as Give Kids The World Village.
If you have never heard of Give Kids The World Village in Kissimmee Florida, it’s a non-profit organization that makes dreams come true for children with life-threatening illnesses. Families brought on a weeklong vacation that is entirely cost-free. They not only believe in making the wish child dreams come true, but every member of the household are unique.
About Give Kids The World
Give Kids The World Village was founded by Henri Landwirth when he received a letter from a little girl who was due to visit his Holiday Inn Hotel, but unfortunately never made it due to her illness. He then vowed to make sure that every child should have their dreams come true.
In 1989, in an orange grove in Kissimmee Florida, Henri Landwirth opened up Give Kids The World. Now it is housed in 168 villas and hosts over 153,000 families from 76 countries worldwide.
Each flag represents the families state or country they are visiting from.
Now that you know a little bit more about Give Kids The World Village lets take a tour of all the amazing things they have for families to enjoy on the property and how you too can help make dreams come true.
Families stay in homes at the Give Kids The World Village, where all meals, tickets to the theme parks, and a vehicle or transportation is provided. Each home welcomes the families with a particular sign with their last name. Making it feel like a home away from home.
A playground sponsored by Hasbro hosts a life-size Candy Land every week for the families. All the equipment was created with all the children in mind. Making sure that every child staying on property can participate.
Along with this fantastic playground, the Give Kids The World Village hosts nightly themed parties such as Santa visits, Disney character visit, surprise birthday parties, Halloween costume party, and so much more!
A float parade for the families goes around weekly. Creating a fun festivity for the children and their families to enjoy on the property. Donated by one of their amazing sponsors, Toys “R” Us.
The GKTW Village has thought about every little detail for the families visiting.
Stellar is the Star Fairy who lives at Kids The World Village. Her job is to make sure every wish child who visits the Village has a personalized Wish Star on the ceiling of the Castle of Miracles or the Star Tower. As you can see, there are many, many stars on the walls and ceilings.
A wonderful way to help is by purchasing one of the Alex and Ani Fairy Charm bracelets. Where 20% of your purchase goes to helping Stellar at Give Kids, The World Village place more stars on the walls.
Another beautiful location in the Give Kids the World Village is a magnificent building donated by Hasbro, Rockin Spa. Where kids can get airbrush tattoos, face painting, hand massages, manicures and makeup.
There is also a workout room families can use featuring a treadmill, an elliptical machine, exercise bicycles and other workout equipment.
One of the unique locations at the GKTW Village is the Ice Cream Parlor. It is the first thing to open on the property and the last thing to close for the families to enjoy. Can you imagine being able to have ice cream for breakfast? Well, the wish children and families can do exactly just that.
When speaking with the Give Kids the World representatives, I did learn that this is a very special place. What child doesn’t like ice cream, right? Well, at Give Kids the World Village the word no is no where in sight!
That is why they are working on expanding the location so that they can house more ice cream and more families at a time. Their dream is to create Henri’s Starlite Scoops Ice Cream and Shakes.
What can you do to help?
- Volunteer: Give Kids the World Village are always looking for volunteers to help out throughout the year.
- Challenge for Hope: Formerly known as the Gingerbread Run, the 5k returns for its 9th year with a new name. Walk, run, roll or stroll virtually or at the Village during their #ChallengeforHope run.
- $90 for 90 Campaign: To celebrate founder Henri Landwirth’s 90th birthday and honor this incrdible life, GKTW Village are renovating the Ice Cream Palace to become “Henri’s Starlite Scoops”. Donating can help build this ice cream parlor for the families.
- Hearts of Reality: Reality stars from shows such as Survivor, The Amazing Race, and more raise money each year for GKTW, culminating in a party and greetings in Celebration on August 10-13.
Thanks to sponsors such as Alex and Ani, Perkins, Papa John’s, Boston Market, Hasbro, Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando, Sea World, and IAAPA these dreams become a reality!
As you can see my Give Kids The World Tour was an unbelievable experience. It is a happy place, filled with love, compassion, and hope.
Do you or know of someone who has had their wish granted with GKTW Village?
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