The Official Newsletter of Give Kids The World
Summer Edition
2011
Family Letters
Give Kids The World,
We want to thank you for the wonderful hospitality we received
at your place in May. You made it a trip we will never forget.
Ava�our wish child� was treated like a queen, as was our entire
family. We will forever be grateful for all you do to make the
Village a wonderful place away from home. You have an amazing
organization from top to bottom. We had a great week and look
forward to being a returning family to visit and someday volunteer.
Thanks again!
Forever grateful,
Ava’s Mom & Dad, Bloomington, IN
Hi Give Kids The World,
I don’t even know how to say thank you! We were and still are so
overwhelmed by everything you and your team did for Avrie on her
wish trip. She had such a good time. The smile never left her face
and all she could do was glow from the experience.
Everyone at Give Kids The World was so kind and willing to do
anything for her and us. I honestly didn’t think people could be so
kind and giving. There are no words that could properly express our
gratitude to you. Our trip was simply a dream come true. When you
grow up, get married and have children you are never prepared to
see them ill or hurt so much. It’s heartbreaking. To see her laugh, smile and play without a care in the
world and to live a “normal” life�even if for only a week�is absolutely priceless.
The parks were so much fun for the kids. To have special treatment from all the princesses and characters
rather than doctors and nurses was a real treat! To be given toys and treats we could otherwise never
afford right now because of the tremendous financial stress was such a relief.
I think unless you live it, you’ll never “truly” know what an amazing gift it was you gave us. The deep
emotions my wife & I shared watching Avrie embrace the different princesses will never be forgotten.
Her smile at that moment could have lifted up the whole park, it was breathtaking! These are the things
that make life so sweet. For as long as we live and as long as Avrie, our little Princess, lives, we’ll always
have this trip tucked away in our hearts.
Thank you again for bringing some joy and fun times to our daughter Avrie and her brothers Brayden and
Grayson. They all had such a great time, and we will hold you in our hearts forever!
God Bless You All,
Avrie’s Mom and Dad, Lake Orion, MI
Celebrating 25 Years
of Creating Magical Memories
On May 14, Give Kids The World celebrated its 25th anniversary with a
carnival celebration and ribbon-cutting ceremony to unveil the new
Star Tower and Gallery of Hope. A crowd of more than 400 people,
including Founder Henri Landwirth, past and present wish families,
GKTW staff, volunteers, corporate partners and media, joined to
commemorate the opening of two new beautiful venues.
The Star Tower is a new addition to the Castle of Miracles, the enchanted place where each wish child
writes their name on a gold star which is placed in the Castle Sky that night by the Star Fairy. With more
than 80,000 stars on the Castle Sky already, available space has dwindled, creating the need for the new
Star Tower.
Sophie Young, a 4-year-old from Prince Edward Island, Canada, was the first wish child to have her
star placed inside the Star Tower. Using new iPad gaming software developed by graduate students at
Carnegie Mellon University, an animated Star Fairy led Sophie to her star. With the new tower and its
technology, thousands of children will be able to share this incredible moment for years to come.
The Gallery of Hope is a 3,100 square foot visitor center that pays tribute to Henri Landwirth, corporate
sponsors, individual donors and volunteers whose roles have been critical to the continued success of
GKTW. Offering visitors a visual timeline of the history and triumphs
“The past 25 years have truly
of GKTW, the Gallery of Hope also provides heartfelt stories from
been a journey of love for
wish families and volunteers.
The two new venues and the 25th anniversary weekend celebration
were possible through the support of individual sponsors and
corporate partners including Walt Disney World Resort, Universal
Orlando Resort, SeaWorld Adventure Parks and Hasbro.
GKTW Sparkles at Annual Gala
Give Kids The World. Through
the boundless generosity of
countless volunteers, sponsors
and donors, we have been able
to offer cost-free vacations
filled with happiness, hope
and inspiration for children
with life-threatening illnesses
and their families.”
The 25th anniversary celebration continued into the evening as more
than 1,500 guests danced the night away at the annual Give Kids The
World Black & White Gala. Held for the first time in the new Grand ~Pamela Landwirth GKTW President
Ballroom at The Peabody Orlando, guests enjoyed gourmet dining
and world-class entertainment in an elegant ambiance. A silent auction and Chance To Win raffle
featured unique prizes and packages that, together with the Gala
tickets, helped to raise almost $500,000 for Give Kids The World.
As the Gala evening came to a close, GKTW President Pam Landwirth
asked guests to reflect on the 107,000 children whose wishes have
been fulfilled because of their continued support. The evening
provided a sense of wonder and gratitude, celebrating all that GKTW
and its friends have been able to accomplish in 25 years.
A Scoop of Hope
Of all the memorable experiences families enjoy during their stay at Give Kids The World Village, the one
that delights them the most is having ice cream any time of day. We have been serving up smiles and
memories for our special guests in the form of all-you-can-eat ice cream for more than 20 years. The
Village’s Ice Cream Palace is every child’s dream�a whimsical building constructed of giant-sized ice
cream cones, popsicle sticks and toppings that is open each day from early in the morning until late at
night. Wish children and their families enjoy unlimited cones, sundaes and shakes, with dairy-free and
special topping options so that everyone can have a taste of the fun.
Ice Cream For Breakfast
To share the carefree spirit of the Village with the rest of the world, we will be celebrating our annual
Ice Cream For Breakfast (ICFB) campaign throughout the summer. The response to the campaign in 2010
was overwhelming, with events taking place nationwide raising more than $60,000.
This year’s campaign is already off to a great start with some exciting partnerships. All Staybridge Suites
and Candlewood Suites across the country are participating by hosting ice cream socials and selling
cone-shaped pin-ups to benefit GKTW. Davidson Hotel Company is also getting in on the fun
at its 38 U.S. locations!
Celebrate with us
We invite you to join our supporters, volunteers,
wish families and partners by spreading awareness
and raising funds for GKTW in your hometown.
There are many ways to get involved:
Host an ice cream social
this summer for your
family, friends, co-workers
and neighbors. Serve ice
cream and toppings in
exchange for donations.
Visit icecreamforbreakfast.org
and click “Get Involved” to
learn more.
Clayton'sate
l
Chocroup
y
S
!
Whip
Send a virtual Scoop
of Hope by visiting
icecreamforbreakfast.org
and making a $1-$5
donation. Choose your
favorite flavor and brighten
someone’s day with a
virtual Scoop of Hope sent
to their email.
Wear your support
by purchasing special
edition Ice Cream For
Breakfast apparel. Visit
givekidstheworldstore.org
and click on the “Ice Cream
For Breakfast” category.
Take a break from the
ordinary and enjoy ice
cream for breakfast with
your family in your own
home. Let the world know
you ate ice cream for
breakfast for Give Kids
The World by sharing
photos and stories on your
personal facebook, twitter
and blog sites. Upload
photos of your family
celebrating on the GKTW
facebook page at
facebook.com/gktwvillage.
Most of all, have fun! However you decide to celebrate, we hope that taking
a break for ice cream for breakfast will remind you of the simple joys of
childhood and the deserving children we serve at Give Kids The World Village.
Mickey Maniacs
The little engine that could—did! The Mickey Maniacs kept chugging up that seemingly
impossible mountain and raised a staggering amount of money again this year for GKTW! In
May, 75 Mickey Maniacs from Larose Cut-off Middle School in Louisiana returned to the Village
to volunteer for their 12th year in a row. This group of vivacious students, parents and community
members hosted a party for wish families on the Avenue of Angels and then surprised GKTW President
Pam Landwirth with a check for $50,000! To date, the Mickey Maniacs have raised over $470,000 for
GKTW and their goal is to hit $500,000 by next year. The total amount they have raised is most impressive
since the group hails from Lafourche Parish, a
very small bayou community in Louisiana. This
amazing volunteer group continues to astound us
with their joie de vivre (joy of living) and unwavering
determination to support our mission.
GKTW Named In Top 100
For the sixth year in a row, Give Kids The World has been named
one of the Top 100 Companies for Working Families by the Orlando
Sentinel. The Sentinel’s program honors companies that make family
a top priority. By fostering a culture of caring, dedicated leadership,
and by upholding Core Values of compassion, credibility, dedication,
integrity and teamwork, GKTW is once again honored to receive this
award. The GKTW Staff help provide memorable experiences and
outstanding service every day to visiting wish families and we
thank them for all they do to help make dreams come true!
5
Sam’s Club Golf Tournament
Benefits GKTW
The 9th Annual Give Kids The World Golf Classic was held at the Orange Lake
Country Club in Kissimmee, FL on Wednesday, May 18. Hosted by Sam’s Club of
Central Florida, the event was attended by more than 60 teams teeing up to support
Give Kids The World. Participants tried their luck at exciting contests such as longest
drive and closest to the pin. This year’s event raised an outstanding $132,000 for the Village!
The tournament’s tremendous success comes from the dedication and commitment of the
following sponsors:
Platinum
Coca-Cola
Orange Lake Country Club
T.G. Lee/MacArthur Dairy
Gold
PepsiCo
Silver
Paradies Gifts
Snyder’s – Lance, Inc.
Bronze
Anheuser-Busch, Inc.
Bimbo Bakeries
Bronze (continued)
Bubba Burgers
Delmonte
Dr Pepper Snapple Group
Flowers Baking
Hostess Brands
Reddy Ice
Bronze (continued)
Pepperidge Farm
Sara Lee
TracFone Wireless
Thank you to all of
this year’s sponsors
and attendees!
Sewing Angels
If you are interested
in becoming a Sewing
Angel, please email
[email protected]
for a pattern and
directions.
There’s a special corner in the Castle of Miracles at Give Kids The World where
wish children and their siblings gather to make their very own wish pillow filled
with hope and dreams. The pillows, backed with a soft flannel and adorned with
a colorful and kid-friendly novelty print pocket, are a favorite among the Village’s
young guests�a cuddly reminder of their stay at the Village.
GKTW Sewing Angels are those responsible for stitching the magical
pillow cases, approximately 24,000 every year. The Titusville Space
Coast Chapter of the American Sewing Guild fulfills approximately 30%
of that need�an amazing 7,200 cases each year. The group of 20 Sewing
Angels, nicknamed the “Bobbinettes,” get together once a week for
three hours to cut, match, hem, pin, serge and turn the cases.
To meet their goal of completing 600 pillow cases each month,
2,400 yards of fabric is needed. In an effort to secure the donations
necessary to purchase the materials, the Bobbinettes spread the
word to family, friends and businesses in their community
and across the U.S. Recently, one of their members, Ann
Ducote, was able to bring in a $5,030 donation from
a Prevost Owner’s Group motor home rally. This
generous donation will provide the fabric needed for
over 5,000 wish pillows.
Thank you to the Bobbinettes and all of
our Sewing Angels that help keep the
tradition of the wish pillow alive!
Save The Date
SIX FLAGS FOUNTAINS FOR FOUNDATIONS
This August
Beginning on August 1, Six Flags parks
nationwide will kick off their fourth year
of raising money for GKTW through their
“Fountains for Foundations” program. With just
the toss of a coin, theme park guests can help
support the Village’s mission.
BOSTON MARKET COUPON BOOKS
Available late October
Stop in your local Boston Market restaurant
and make a $1 donation to receive a coupon
book with over $35 in savings on delicious
Boston Market food. All coupon book sales
benefit GKTW.
PERKINS CIRCLES OF HOPE
August 1 – September 30
Visit a participating Perkins
Restaurant & Bakery to show your
support for GKTW by making a $1,
$5 or $10 donation and personalizing a
“Circle of Hope” to hang in the restaurant.
3RD ANNUAL GKTW 5K FUN RUN
Saturday, November 5
This fun-filled event takes
runners on a 5k course
through the whimsical
GKTW Village. Stay tuned to
givekidstheworld.org/funrun
for details.
givekidstheworld.org
Commemorate Give Kids The World’s 25th Anniversary with
these limited-time items!
To see the entire selection
of GKTW Merchandise
or to make a purchase,
please visit
givekidstheworldstore.org.
ANNIVERSARY TEES
$12.95 – $18.95
ANNIVERSARY CHARM
$25.95
•A
vailable in Adult (S-3XL),
Youth (XS-L) or Purple
Toddler (2T, 3T, 4T) sizes
• Village symbol and “25
years” grace the front of
this sterling silver charm,
with the words “Give Kids
The World, 1986-2011”
engraved on the back
•2
5th Anniversary logo
screen-printed on the
front and “1986-2011” on
the left sleeve
• 100% cotton
• Has an anti-tarnish coating to help retain shine
• Measures ¾” in diameter
ANNIVERSARY
RE-USABLE
GROCERY TOTE
4 for $10 or $2.95 each
• Help save the planet and
support GKTW at the
same time!
• Purple tote with white
25th Anniversary logo
Give Kids The World
210 South Bass Road
Kissimmee, FL 34746
phone (800) 995-KIDS
fax (407) 396-1207
[email protected]
givekidstheworld.org
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