Give Kids the World and the Power of 10
In case you haven't heard of it yet, Give Kids the World is a nonprofit that allows families with children that have life threatening illnesses to come to Central Florida and experience a cost-free dream vacation. In fact, some good friends of ours just spent a great Spring Break in Orlando thanks to Give Kids the World and the Make a Wish Foundation!
The Story of GKTW
The story of Give Kids the World begins with a little girl, Amy, who was suffering from leukemia and wanted to visit the theme parks in Central Florida. Unfortunately the travel arrangements for the trip were not made quickly enough and Amy passed away before her wish could be fulfilled.
It was then that hotelier, Henri Landwirth, set out to bring families like Amy's to Central Florida within 24 hours for a cost-free trip to the theme parks. As the number of families began to quickly expand, the need for a place to meet the needs of these families was realized, and in 1989 the gates to the Give Kids the World Village were opened.
Today, the village is a 70 acre nonprofit resort that houses families who come to Central Florida through Give Kids the World. With 140 villas for families, GKTW is able so serve over 7,000 families a year.
Each family's trip includes accommodations in a two bedroom villa, tickets to Disney World, Sea World Orlando, and Universal Orlando, transportation, meals, and entertainment and other activities at the resort.
How Can We Help?
The Power of 10 is a group of Disney fans who are helping to share their passion for Disney by raising funding to support Give Kids The World. Their goal is to find 10,000 people who will commit to ask 10 friends to donate $10 to Give Kids the World and in the process raise $1 million.
During the first Star Wars weekend of 2011 the Power of 10 is hosting a fundraiser at Disney's Hollywood Studios. The Power of 10 Confronts the Dark Side will be held at the Backlot Express Restaurant adjacent to Star Tours on Sunday, May 22 from 6:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.
The cost for adults is $50 for adults (10 years and older) and $25 for children (ages 3 to 9). In addition to the breakfast buffet, there will be a silent auction held until 8am, with all proceeds going to Give Kids the World.
About WDW For Grownups
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DisneyLvr wrote on Fri, 05/13/2011 - 13:55:
GKTW is a WONDERFUL organization. My sister was diagnosed with leukemia when she was 10 years old (she is turning 21 next Saturday and has been cancer-free for over five years!), and this was her "wish" when she was sick. It was a great trip for my family and I. The organization was absolutely wonderful and so accommodating.
My sister and I were at Animal Kingdom the first weekend in April, and ended up talking to a woman about somethingthat was on sale in a gift shop. Her young daughter was hanging on her leg, and as we walked away, we noticed not only that her hair was very short and starting to grow back, but that she had a GKTW button on. My sister told the woman about her cancer, treatments, how her wish was GKTW also, how well she was doing now and how she would keep her daughter in her thoughts. The woman was so relived to see that it is possible to beat cancer and live a normal life.
GKTW lets these families know they are not alone in fighting terminal illnesses as there are families all over the complex going through similar circumstances.
Thank you for doing such a wonderful thing for this organization!
Kasey O'Connor wrote on Sat, 05/14/2011 - 01:11:
Thanks for sharing your story. GKTW is an amazing organization!
karrie wrote on Sat, 05/14/2011 - 21:12:
Give Kids the world is a GOD SEND for any family that has a special needs child! If any child has a wish granted to go to Disney from any wish granting organization ( Make a wish, Dream factory, Texas wishing well, etc.) this is where they will stay! They give each family a week of yes!
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