Donate to Give Kids the World

[*NikkiBell*]

Hi,

Last week, I had the amazing opportunity to spend some time again at Give Kids the World Village. A group of us went in December and I immediately fell in love with their mission. For those of you who do not know, this wonderful place helps provide ill children (most from the Make A Wish Foundation) with cost-free vacations for them and their families. The children are given a week's stay in a special village home, transportation, and tickets to Orlando theme parks.

Give Kids the World is almost entirely volunteer-run. During a tour myself and a few other DISers received last week, we learned that they have just over 100 employees to run this 70-acre village. As a result they heavily rely on donations of man-power to assist families and money to support the village's many activities. We also learned that their plan to expand and build more villa homes was haulted due to lack of finances. I would like to help them gain the funds necessary to continue making the dreams of these children come true.

I set up a donations page for anyone who would like to donate a few dollars to Give Kids the World. Click here to visit the fundraising page and donate. Please note that a very small percentage of each donation goes to First Giving for hosting the page.

http://www.firstgiving.com/disunpluggedgktw

For more information on Give Kids the World, please visit:
http://www.gktw.org/

Hospitality House

Villa for Visiting Families - Totally Handicapped Accessible

New Playground

Ice Cream Parlor - If a child wants ice cream for breakfast, he can have it!

Gingerbread House - Main Eatery

Stained Glass Window in Chapel

 

[k5jm]

bump

 

[mikelan6]

Thanks for sharing, Nikki.

 

[dpuck1998]

Thanks Nikki! I agree 100 percent. This place is very special to my family and myself. I plan to take each of my kids there when they turn 12 as a special trip one on one. We already give all our donations to them and plan to continue. Sidenote, not to toot my own horn, but as an idea for others. When my birthday rolls around, instead of the normal stuff (most of which goes unused or returned) I've asked family to donate to GKTW for me. Bricks, purchases, just cash, anything. It all adds up and helps. Thanks for doing the legs work here Nikki, if you need any help let me know.

 

[*NikkiBell*]

Awesome idea for birthdays, Don. I really like that. I made a few purchases/donations online recently and hope to get a brick soon.

 

[BriarRosie]

Thanks Nikki! I agree 100 percent. This place is very special to my family and myself. I plan to take each of my kids there when they turn 12 as a special trip one on one. We already give all our donations to them and plan to continue. Sidenote, not to toot my own horn, but as an idea for others. When my birthday rolls around, instead of the normal stuff (most of which goes unused or returned) I've asked family to donate to GKTW for me. Bricks, purchases, just cash, anything. It all adds up and helps. Thanks for doing the legs work here Nikki, if you need any help let me know.

You know what was humbling? When I was there on Friday, I was assigned to help with the breakfast service in the Gingerbread House. There were several people from a church group who regularly come down to volunteer. Two of the kids from that group were next to my station.

I asked the boy how old he was, and when he started volunteering.
"I'm 10, and I started helping here when I was 5."

That was impressive.

I was impressed by all the inclusive things there are for kids of all levels of ability. Interactive stuff at wheelchair level, and wheelchairs that roll into the zero depth pool. I can see why they often don't want to leave the Village to visit the parks. The place is definitely a kid's resort.

 

[dpuck1998]

You know what was humbling? When I was there on Friday, I was assigned to help with the breakfast service in the Gingerbread House. There were several people from a church group who regularly come down to volunteer. Two of the kids from that group were next to my station.

I asked the boy how old he was, and when he started volunteering.
"I'm 10, and I started helping here when I was 5."

That was impressive.

I was impressed by all the inclusive things there are for kids of all levels of ability. Interactive stuff at wheelchair level, and wheelchairs that roll into the zero depth pool. I can see why they often don't want to leave the Village to visit the parks. The place is definitely a kid's resort.

I did notice that there were younger kids there also, but when I called last xmas to bring my kids and work for a day, they said they had to be 12 to work. So we didn't plan on working a day, instead we just dropped of supplies.

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

We donate to a different charity, but GKTW is a pretty good one, according to Charity Navigator.

 

[*NikkiBell*]

FYI...GKTW is a non-profit organization.

Don, we were told that as long as the child stayed with their parent (like Dave and the girls did), it wouldn't be an issue. You should check again. Ask for Connie. She helped me organize our visit last week.

One of the surprising things I found out during our tour was that their carousel is one of THREE in the entire country that is wheelchair accessible. It is often the highlight of a trip for many families to see their child on it for the first time in their lives.

 

[dpuck1998]

FYI...GKTW is a non-profit organization.

Don, we were told that as long as the child stayed with their parent (like Dave and the girls did), it wouldn't be an issue. You should check again. Ask for Connie. She helped me organize our visit last week.

One of the surprising things I found out during our tour was that their carousel is one of THREE in the entire country that is wheelchair accessible. It is often the highlight of a trip for many families to see their child on it for the first time in their lives.

I've emailed them twice to ask about this and haven't received a response. When we went in December I specifically asked about it and was told 12. What a shame, we were ready to work the day in December, oh well, like Disney I guess its just a matter of who you talk to on the phone.

Anyway, it is a good excuse for us to make it a tradition to for each child when they turn 12.

Don't forget, that carousel is from Norway too

 

[BriarRosie]

That kid had a parent working there, too. He was perfectly fine in the toast and pastries section. And made an excellent runner to get me more waffle batter. That made him my "batter boy".

I think it's nice that you'll take the kids when they are older. Just watch out for the scary clown garbage can.

 

[*NikkiBell*]

That's right, Lori. Maybe it is 12.

Don, I like your tradition idea with the kids.

Lori, you were the one that insisted on using the clown trash can to begin with!

 

[safetymom]

I know that Katie and I will be back to volunteer. Teresa and I talk about it on this weeks Podcast.