Volunteering

[kymom99]

I spend most of my time on the Budget Board so thought I would ask here. It is sort of budget related.

I recently heard about volunteering at Give Kids the World Village. Someone I know is volunteering there for a week. I guess I never thought about doing something like that since I don't live in the area, but apparently they welcome volunteers from anywhere.

I am retiring from teaching in a few days and I am eager to do some things I haven't had time to do before. Does anyone have experience with this organization? How easy/difficult is it to be accepted to volunteer there? I have taught special needs kids and this seems to be right up my alley.

Has anyone from outside of Florida done it? Where did you stay while you were there? Were you able to find down time to do any local attractions or just to relax?

Any suggestions welcome!

 

[amylevan]

My parents (and several of their friends) are snowbirds that spend Jan-March in Orlando. They have spent a fair amount of time volunteering at Give Kids the World while in the area. Most of the time, they work in the food area (busing tables, carrying trays, manning the salad bar and delivering pizzas).

From what I understand, they require a HUGE amount of volunteers to run and it's easy to be accepted. My parents use an ap (or a website) that they log into and sign up for shifts. If you were visiting local attractions as well, you could just pick certain shifts to allow for down time.

 

[kymom99]

My parents (and several of their friends) are snowbirds that spend Jan-March in Orlando. They have spent a fair amount of time volunteering at Give Kids the World while in the area. Most of the time, they work in the food area (busing tables, carrying trays, manning the salad bar and delivering pizzas).

From what I understand, they require a HUGE amount of volunteers to run and it's easy to be accepted. My parents use an ap (or a website) that they log into and sign up for shifts. If you were visiting local attractions as well, you could just pick certain shifts to allow for down time.

Thanks! That's great advice. I didn't know they had an app. I will soon be on a big-time budget but plan to simplify my life. I am thinking of the possibilities of getting a house for a month and having people join me at various times. I would love to do this with my son and some of his friends.

 

[ravenclawtrekkie]

I volunteer regularly at GKTW and I love it. Local volunteers have to go to an orientation but I think there's a workaround for people coming from further away, info should be on their website.

Volunteers are used for all kinds of things, from serving food to running the carousel to driving a little tram around the property. It's lots of fun and all the people are super great. I highly recommend it.

 

[maxaroni]

We are in NJ and my DS23 was 1 of 24 students that volunteered at GKTW. He was in his senior year of HS and applied. His school had over 300 kids apply that year and he was selected. He LOVED it. They were there for 5 days and said it was so rewarding. He was told that even if you are vacationing in the area, you can apply to volunteer while in the area.

 

[afan]

There's info about this, I think it's on the Dis Unplugged board. There was discussion about people volunteering there during the big dismeet this summer, which is why it seems like the thread is on that board.

 

[dgthree]

There's info about this, I think it's on the Dis Unplugged board. There was discussion about people volunteering there during the big dismeet this summer, which is why it seems like the thread is on that board.

Yes, there is a great thread on the DISUnplugged board. Here's a link: http://www.disboards.com/threads/volunteering-at-give-kids-the-world-a-primer.2729866/

 

[seashell7290]

I volunteered at GKTW while on vacation and loved the experience! Since I was only their temporary I did not have mandatory orientation. You receive training for whatever job you choose on site. I am a Make a Wish volunteer so getting to see where my wish families go when they go to WDW was a great experience! They always need volunteers so finding an open shift shouldn't be a problem.

 

[kymom99]

Thanks, everyone! I have a couple of my retiree friends on board. We will be planning a trip south in the colder months to experience this.