Winter 2008
| Tell a friend about this newsletter! | Winter 2008 |
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Give Kids The World (GKTW) continues to grow in ways that we never imagined. 2007 was one of our most exciting years ever – and we know that 2008 will bring many new and wonderful experiences for our special families. As GKTW has grown, we have been blessed to serve families from all over the world. Last fall we welcomed our 85,000th family, a family from Lancashire, England. We recently hosted our first family from Venezuela since 2000 and our first ever from Kuwait. GKTW is truly serving the families who need us most, no matter where they are from. To date, we have welcomed families from more than 60 countries worldwide. These milestones are shining examples of how our reach has grown over the past twenty-two years.
Of course, we could never offer our families all that we do without the dedicated hearts and talents of our Volunteer Angels. Last year, our Angels worked tirelessly, filling nearly 1,200 volunteer shifts per week. As the expansion continues, so does our need for Volunteers. Whether it is serving meals, hosting rides on the carousel, or serving those ever-popular ice cream treats – there is no part of the Village that is not touched by your caring hands. As many of our “Snow Angels” prepare to return to their northern homes, please know that you will be missed by our entire Village family. We look so forward to your return later this year, and sharing the many exciting Village changes with you. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all that you do. We truly cherish and appreciate all of our Angels. With Love,
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On Friday, March 7, GKTW proudly celebrated its 22nd Founder’s Day with ice cream for breakfast! The popular treat was not only enjoyed by everyone on the Avenue of Angels, but by friends near and far. One partnering wish-granting organization in Oregon honored our second annual Founder’s Day tradition by sending us a picture of their wish-granters enjoying their very own ice cream breakfast. Face painting, stilt-walkers and many other activities ushered all into the Gingerbread House Restaurant where GKTW Founder, Henri Landwirth, took the time to meet our visiting Wish Families, volunteers and staff members, sign copies of his books, pose for pictures and share a hug - all on his 81st birthday. |
There are many ways you can show your support for GKTW. As an Angel, you give time and talent through countless hours of volunteerism here at the Village. Those who live far from the Village can still help GKTW through in-kind donations, fundraisers, planned giving and much more http://www.gktw.org/how.
Louise Villinger, a Volunteer Angel, decided to raise funds for GKTW through First Giving - a fast, simple and efficient online fundraising tool. In lieu of gifts for her 60th birthday, Louise requested that friends and family donate to GKTW via her online First Giving page.
Louise set up an account at First Giving, personalized her page with a message and a picture using one of the easy templates and was ready to go. Donors to Louise’s page where also able to leave special messages – words of encouragement and well wishes. Since January 2007, Louise has raised $1,050!
You, too, can create your own First Giving page. Ask friends and loved-ones to support you and your own personal fundraiser. Examples include walk-a-thons, runs, bike rides and chili cook-offs. Using First Giving to support GKTW is easy - your imagination and drive are all you need. If you or someone you know is interested in starting a First Giving fundraising page, please visit http://www.firstgiving.com/gktw for more information. Thank you from everyone at GKTW!
Each year, more and more college students from around the country choose to spend their Spring Break vacations volunteering at GKTW. “Alternative Spring Break” has also allowed student groups to give of their time during non-traditional Spring Break months of the year.
So far this year, GKTW has welcomed volunteer students and staff from: St. John’s University, Lehigh University, Vanderbilt University, University of Georgia, Virginia Commonwealth University, University of Kansas, Colorado State University, DePaul University, and Northwest Missouri State. There are even Spring Break groups already booked for 2009!
We extend a heartfelt thank you to all of the Spring Break groups that have so generously donated their time, efforts and hearts to the families who visit us each day. We look forward to welcoming you back for many years to come.
Becoming an official GKTW Angel is simple. Those interested in joining our GKTW Angel family must attend one of our Volunteer Orientation sessions. This important session is mandatory for all incoming volunteers. It provides an overview of our GKTW mission, core values, as well as information about the various jobs and experiences that volunteers can participate in. Attending a session is all you have to do before you can jump right in!
Encourage your co-workers, friends and family to join you at one of our Volunteer Orientation sessions. Together you can become Angels who will make a difference in the lives of our families. Below are upcoming volunteer training opportunities. If you or someone you know is interested, please call Volunteer Services at 407-396-0770. Thank you.
March Volunteer Orientation Sessions
March 16 - 2:00-5:00 PM
March 27 - 3:00-6:00 PM
Character and Bunny Buddy
March 9 - 1:00-5:00 PM
March 23 - 1:00-5:00 PM
Digital Photography
March 16 - 1:00-3:00 PM
April 20 - 1:00-3:00 PM
April 27 - 1:00-5:00 PM
May 4 - 1:00-3:00 PM
May 11 - 1:00-5:00 PM
To reserve your spot, please contact our
Volunteer Services Department at 407-396-0770.
Did you know that the GKTW Kid’s Night Out (KNO) program is now offered twice a week? The addition of Monday evenings allows us to welcome more Wish Families to participate in the program. Monday’s KNO program can accommodate 20 children and Wednesday’s program can accommodate 25 children.
Did you know that our Village Vacation Planning Services Department (VVPS) has moved from the House of Hearts to former villa 301? Nestled comfortably between the Ice Cream Palace and the new Mama Merry’s Pizza Kitchen, this location allows the Village to make way for an all-new Family Orientation room, video room, and fishing equipment area in the House of Hearts. These improvements are well underway and will be completed soon.
Stay tuned for the next edition of Angel Advisor to learn more about all that’s new and what’s happening at GKTW.
“This journey has been the most difficult undertaking of our lives. Yet it has taught us much. We have learned lessons that most will never learn. We have learned to live in the miracle of the moment.
It is with gratitude and thanksgiving that we write this for it is through Give Kids The World that we were able to be together as a family in a little piece of heaven on earth, for that is truly what you have created. Truly, Give Kids The World is a place that love built. We have little to offer you in return for all that you have given to us. Our children have been so touched. They loved the Village so much. My six-year-old cries at night wishing she could go back and my ten-year-old talks of volunteering.
With gratitude and blessings,”
Patrick's Family
Volunteer Appreciation Party
Saturday, March 22
12:00-4:00 PM
Buena Vista Palace
RSVP by March 17 by calling
Volunteer Services at 407-396-0770.
