The Official Newsletter of Give Kids The World Summer Edition 2013

The Official Newsletter of Give Kids The World
Summer Edition
2013
Family Letter
Dear Give Kids The World,
We wanted to let you know how thankful we are for you! We got to come and
stay at GKTW back in February of this year and what a treat it was! We think
your Village is absolutely incredible! Everything is so clean, beautiful, fun
and whimsical. All your staff and volunteers were so kind and thoughtful.
We feel so lucky to have had the chance to stay with you for our son
Jackson’s wish.
“Thank you from
the bottom of our
hearts! We will
FOREVER remember
this incredible
experience.”
GKTW made our trip top-notch! We had the time of our lives! All the parties, activities,
gifts, beautiful villas, yummy food at the Gingerbread House, the late night pizza and
Katie’s Kitchen deliveries, cookie cart, ice cream all day long, all the characters we
got to meet and take pictures with, the rock star passes to all the parks (we really did
feel like rock stars with the GKTW button!)….the list goes on!
Thank you from the bottom of our hearts! We will FOREVER remember this incredible
experience. May God bless all of you for the happiness you give to kids and their
families that need hope and something so wonderful and positive to experience in
their ill-stricken lives.
We love you!
Jackson’s Family, Utah
Coasting For Kids Raises Over $150,000
More than 400 daring roller coaster enthusiasts
demonstrated once again that they have big hearts
and enviable equilibriums at Cedar Fair Entertainment
Company’s fifth annual “Coasting For Kids” fundraiser.
Held at 11 Cedar Fair parks across North America, the
marathon coaster event raised over $150,000 for Give
Kids The World. This adrenaline filled event offered
amusement park enthusiasts complimentary admission
to the Cedar Fair Park of their choice for the privilege
of riding roller coasters a dizzying number of times in
exchange for donations benefitting GKTW.
California’s Great America
Santa Clara, CA
Kings Island
Kings Mills, OH
Canada’s Wonderland
Vaughan, ON
Knott’s Berry Farm
Buena Park, CA
Carowinds
Charlotte, CA
Michigan’s Adventure
Muskegon, MI
Cedar Point
Sandusky, OH
Valleyfair
Shakopee, MN
Dorney Park
Allentown, PA
Worlds of Fun
Kansas City, MO
To date, the event has raised over $350,000 to provide
magical memories for children battling life-threatening
illnesses and their families. Thank you to each of the
amusement parks, sponsors and participants who have
made Coasting For Kids a tremendous success!
Kings Dominion
Doswell, VA
“As a former wish family,
we’re touched by Cedar Fair’s
generosity in hosting the
Coasting For Kids fundraiser.”
–Nancy Parkins, participant
“We would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to the Belz Family,
The Peabody Orlando and all of their wonderful partners who have
graciously shared their time, talent and gifts to make the 25th Annual
Black & White Gala such an overwhelming success.”
–Pamela Landwirth, GKTW President
GKTW Shines at Silver Anniversary Gala
The silver anniversary celebration continued into the evening as more than 1,600
guests celebrated the night away at the annual Give Kids The World Black &
White Gala. Guests enjoyed gourmet dining and world-class entertainment in an
elegant ambiance as they viewed life “Through the Eyes of a Child.” One of Central
Florida’s most celebrated silent auctions and a Chance to Win raffle offered guests
the opportunity to support GKTW’s mission by bidding on luxurious vacation & spa
packages, VIP tickets to sporting events and TV show tapings and guitars signed by
Willie Nelson and Keith Urban. A DinoPutt themed putting contest and a Roll the Dice
game tested guests’ skills for an opportunity to win two luxury cars. The festivities
raised more than $665,000 to provide magical memories for children with lifethreatening illnesses.
As the Gala evening came to a close, GKTW President Pam Landwirth, alumni wish
child, Princess Alyssa, and actress Bailee Madison asked guests to reflect on the
122,000 children whose wishes have been fulfilled because of their continued support
and generosity. The storybook themed evening provided a sense of wonder and
gratitude, celebrating all that GKTW and its treasured partners have accomplished
in 27 years.
Perkins Serves Up Smiles
“Dining in the Gingerbread
House was like feasting in a room
filled with family. The volunteers
were so kind and the food was
delicious.” –Elias’ family, California
Perkins and Marie Callender’s
Restaurant & Bakery have once
again proven themselves as a vital
Village supporter. Since 1990,
their dedicated fundraising efforts
have funded and managed the
Gingerbread House Restaurant.
To date, Perkins has served over
4 million cost-free meals at the Gingerbread House, where our cherished
guests gather to enjoy breakfast and dinner every day of their visit.
On April 2, Perkins announced a $985,000 donation to Give Kids The World.
Since 1990, Perkins Restaurant has successfully raised over $17 million for
GKTW. “Give Kids The World is truly grateful for the boundless generosity
of Perkins and Marie Callender’s Restaurants for hosting numerous bake
sales, golf tournaments and more for over two decades to help fulfill the
wishes of our children,”said GKTW President Pamela Landwirth. “Their
continued support has provided millions of delicious meals for our deserving
families in the Gingerbread House Restaurant, allowing our guests the
opportunity to spend precious time together as a family.”
Sierra Land Breaks Ground at the Village
The Give Kids The World Adopt-A-Villa program is a unique group volunteer
opportunity that keeps our special guests’ “home away from home” a
comfortable, welcoming, Village retreat. Dedicated groups spruce up,
clean up and maintain these truly unique buildings that our families call
home while on their wish vacation. Thanks to a special partnership formed
through volunteerism, Adopt-A-Villa veterans, Sierra Land Group, found a
way for the Village to welcome over 100 new families next year.
After years of support through volunteerism and program support, Sierra
Land, the parent company of the Caribe Royale Orlando, Buena Vista Suites
and Embassy Suites Orlando – Lake Buena Vista South, decided it was time
to do some serious work in order for the Village to expand its mission. The
company announced they would donate $380,000 toward the construction of
two brand new villas, in addition to their ongoing fundraising efforts towards
the Village Campaign. This generous donation comes from the Don and
Lorraine Freeberg Foundation, named for the late owner of Sierra Land,
Mr. Don Freeberg. Thank you, Sierra Land Group and Foundation, for
your ongoing support.
“The villa was so much
more than we expected. It
was so nice to have such
a well maintained and
welcoming ‘home’ to come
back to every day.”
–Wyatt’s family, Ohio
Before
In January 2014, Give Kids The World will be celebrating
our Village’s 25th Anniversary with a unique initiative — an
Extreme Village Makeover! Wyndham Vacation Ownership is
spearheading an initiative to completely renovate 100 villas at
Give Kids The World Village.
The Extreme Village Makeover, scheduled to take place
January 12-25, 2014, will update and upgrade our whimsical
accommodations for families. With crews on-site 24 hours a
day, construction is expected to last two weeks. The scope
of work will include cosmetic and structural upgrades,
wood replacement, stucco and drywall repair, tile work,
installation of new counter tops, fixtures and crown
molding, exterior and interior painting and electrical
updates, just to name a few.
You can help by
donating or engaging
the following:
• General contractors
• Glass/mirror installers
• Demolition services
• Concrete & forming installers
• Drywall materials, repairs
& installation services
• Framing installers
• Millwork services
• General laborers
• Tile services
• Pressure washers
• Reprographics/
Large print services
• Carpenters
• Specified finishes & fixtures
(specs available from GKTW)
• Electricians
• Plumbers
Before
After
• Lumber
• Painters
• Counter top installers
• General building
materials/supplies
For more information on
Extreme Village Makeover
and to learn how you can help,
visit givekidstheworld.org/makeover.
After
PDQ STEPS Up to Support GKTW
Give Kids The World’s housekeeping department is dedicated to making our
villas feel like a home away from home. Each villa is cleaned top to bottom
for our families. From linens and towels to dusting, vacuuming, washing
and sanitizing each room, no detail is overlooked.
PDQ Consulting Inc. has partnered with GKTW to provide tools and train
staff in the STEPS cleaning process designed to boost productivity and
safety. This allows the Village’s hard working staff to better use operational
dollars to meet other needs of cherished wish families.
“We are so proud of our opportunity to be a partner in serving the families
that visit the Village,” said PDQ Executive Vice President, Martin Merriam.
Thank you to PDQ for helping GKTW keep the Village sparkling.
“We are so proud of our
opportunity to be a partner
in serving the families that
visit the Village.”
–Martin Merriam, PDQ Exec. V.P.
Generosity: An Eder Family Tradition
Philanthropy, community and a dedication to helping children and families in need
were reflective of the philosophy and actions of Yvette and Arthur Eder. Their lifetime
of generosity continues in perpetuity through the actions of The Yvette and Arthur Eder
Foundation. Jill, the Eder’s daughter, and Rachel, the Eder’s granddaughter, both continue
the family tradition of helping others.
“Words cannot even begin to
express how impressed we were
after seeing Give Kids The
World in person.” –Rachel Eder
After hearing about Give Kids The World, Rachel and Jill visited the Village
for a tour. “Words cannot even begin to express how impressed we were
after seeing Give Kids The World in person,” said Rachel. Moved by their
visit, the foundation made a $50,000 donation to help GKTW continue our
very special mission of creating the happiness that inspires hope for our
precious guests. On behalf of all the families who will benefit from this
generosity, GKTW extends our heartfelt gratitude to The Yvette and Arthur
Eder Foundation.
Village Chic
Our Annual Black & White Gala
may be behind us, but we are still
thinking in black and white.
Sport these classic colors
with a splash of Village chic.
A
C
B
A. Village Logo Tee
The bright colors of the GKTW logo
really pop against the background of
these tee shirts. Each is made of 100%
pre-shrunk cotton.
B. Women’s Fitted Village Logo Tee
A little bit of glitter in the ink lends the
perfect amount of sparkle to this ladies
fitted tee shirt, made of 100% preshrunk cotton.
C. Village Logo Hats
Shield your head and eyes from the
bright sun with our embroidered black
or white Village logo ball cap. With an
adjustable closure at the back, one size
fits most. Each cap is 100% cotton.
SUMMER
2013
Ice Cream For Breakfast is a grass-roots awareness and fundraising
campaign inspired by a Village wish family who celebrates the
anniversary of their trip by eating ice cream for breakfast, just as they did
in the Ice Cream Palace at Give Kids The World Village. This summer,
we hope you will help support the Village by setting a goal, creating a
mini-campaign online and asking your friends and family to join you
in your efforts. For more information on how to get involved, please
visit icecreamforbreakfast.org.
SATURDAY,
NOVEMBER 2
2013
Gingerbread Run Join us for a fun-filled 5k run/
walk through the whimsical pathways of Give Kids
The World Village! Jog past the World’s Largest
CANDY LAND game at Matthew’s Boundless
Playground, wave hello to Stellar, the Star Fairy,
atop our Castle of Miracles and boogie down
with some of the Village’s most beloved
mascots. For more information
or to register, please visit
gingerbreadrun.org.
Presented by
SAVE THE
DATE
2014 Walt Disney World® Marathon: Run
GKTW Team Attention all runners! How would you
like to support Give Kids The World while taking part in
the world famous Walt Disney World Marathon? Be a part
of the inaugural Run GKTW team for the 2014 Walt Disney
World® Marathon Weekend presented by Cigna!
Registration is now open at gktw.org/run.
2014 Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend:
Run GKTW Team Have you been holding onto your
pink sneakers and tiaras for a special occasion? Here
is your chance to sport your royal running gear as you
join the Run GKTW team for the 2014 Disney Princess
Half Marathon Weekend. Registration is now open at
gktw.org/run.
MAY 3
2014
JANUARY
1–12
2014
FEBRUARY
20–23
2014
26th Annual Black & White Gala Join us on Saturday, May 3 for
our signature event featuring world class dining, breathtaking
entertainment and an exciting silent action in the Grand
Ballroom of the Peabody Orlando. To reserve your table or to
learn about sponsorship opportunities, contact Lisa BertinQueena at 407-396-1114 ext. 4225 or lisab@gktw.org.
Give Kids The World
210 South Bass Road
Kissimmee, FL 34746
phone (800) 995-KIDS
fax (407) 396-1207
Dream@gktw.org
givekidstheworld.org
facebook.com/gktwvillage
twitter.com/gktwvillage
youtube.com/givekidstheworld
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