It's been an amazing run of several weeks, and I'm very touched by all the giving the Disney community has done for the Wish children who visit Give Kids the World (GKTW). We've raised almost $8,000 in just a couple of months! At this pace, we'll take some time to get to our target of $75,000, the amount needed to build a villa. No matter. I'm in this for the long haul and have made this cause my own. (My original GKTW article can be accessed via this link.)

You can help! First, you can donate money yourself (or your time, as a volunteer), just click on the widget below:

Second, you can help spread the word. In previous posts, I said that we can use the help of other Disney webmasters, authors, columnists, and bloggers to make this a combined effort of the entire Disney Online Community. And I put a link to this "fundraising Widget" for people to put on their Disney Fan Community website or blog and help us spread the word:

http://www.firstgiving.com/rss/GetFundraisingBadge.asp?eventgivinggroupid=207263

To make it even easier for webmasters to add this to their sites, I've come up with some wording you could use to introduce the whole project. Here's some language you can use wholesale, or adjust as desired:

The Disney online community is coming together to help Give Kids the World Village build a dedicated villa for families visiting Disney World and other Orlando attractions. Even very small contributions add up, and if we online fans pool our resources, we easily have enough to make this happen. What better synergy could there be? What better charity for Disney fans is there than the very operation which enables children with life-threatening illnesses to visit Disney? Please help.

In a few weeks, I will conduct a raffle of the prizes mentioned earlier; those who donated $25 or more will be eligible.

In the meantime, I figured it was time to stop doing the talking myself, and share with you some letters that have been written to Give Kids the World and their founders, the Landwirths.

These letters are touching, moving, and heartfelt. Please lend the writers your (virtual) ear:

This letter is tardy but there has not been a day that you have not been a part of our lives since our very fortunate gift of a trip to Give Kids The World. I am writing this letter to thank you on behalf of Katrina and her family. Please share this letter with your staff and other organizations connected to you that may also be able to contribute to the sanctity of life and humanity as you have done.

Katrina, age 8, was diagnosed with Ewing's Sarcoma, a very aggressive and painful form of bone cancer, also quite rare. For 8 months at the hospital - which could have been the end of her life time - she suffered as no child should ever, nor adult. Cancer beats down a child's dignity and very soul. But on November 27th, the day before her 9th birthday she was given her greatest wish, to celebrate her 9th birthday in Disney World, something we could not afford or since Katrina's diagnosis thought would ever happen.

Katrina's screams of pain and fear, (and the horrible silence of her voice while she spent 5 days in ICU after a grueling 10 hour surgical ordeal) were replaced with shrills of laughter and joy. For one glorious week Katrina was alive again. While she battled cancer she was not even the shell of what she was. During her stay at Give Kids The World the very discolored and horribly thin face changed by nerve damage, her big blue eyes dulled, and her weak and heavily scared body, seemed transformed. The smile that was missing since New Years Eve of 2003 returned and she seemed at peace. The funniest I can recall was when we stood outside the Magic Kingdom on November 28th, Katrina's 9th birthday, and she looked up at the fire works and said to me 'look Mom, those are for my birthday, didn't they do a good job?' I didn't have the heart to tell her they were part of Disney World, and after all she went through she deserved more than fireworks, thank God after all she went through she got to continue to live her life.

Katrina at this point in time has been 10 months cancer free, she is one of the lucky ones. My husband and I watched in horror as too many parents left the hospital childless as the horrible disease of cancer claimed their child's life. At a funeral of a 5-year old boy I recently attended I witnessed the mother clutching a stuffed Mickey Mouse, the same as the one Katrina received during her trip to Give Kids The World, which now sits on her bed. My daughter is alive to dream the dreams, which were made while she was given the privilege to stay at Give Kids The World thanks to the generosity of people like you. The mother who lost her only child, a 5-year old boy, who did not survive brain cancer, clutched the only object that held happy memories during their time with cancer. The memories of her son enjoying Give Kids The World is all that mother has left to hold as her son is gone.

Please continue to support Give Kids The World. Please realize what you are accomplishing with your efforts. Children face extreme degrees of suffering and pain, fear, and many die from cancer and other horrific childhood illnesses. Other children are able to escape life circumstances that no child should ever face by having the opportunity to go to Give Kids The World and this gives them hope.

I can only share my experiences with you but I wish I could expose you to the feelings of horror we felt while Katrina was so gravely ill, but our feelings cannot compare or describe what Katrina suffered. All this was relieved by our trip to Give Kids The World. We will never be able to thank you. We thank God that there are people such as you that have the strength to help others. God bless you and continue to support you in your work for the better of humanity. God bless you for having the strength to comfort and support children and their families who are suffering in the tragedy of illness, abnormal life circumstances and who even face death. Thank you for giving us peace and hope.

Sincerely,

Katrina's family

In a separate letter she added:

Our experience at Give Kids The World was one that compares to nothing in this world. Funny the contrast of the horror of an experience with living with cancer and then the spiritual enlightenment you receive at Give Kids The World, to our family is was going from hell to heaven. If they say some good always comes out of something bad then Give Kids The World will be the good we have experienced from Katrina's cancer. It really is all about those who are willing to help support people in despair that can make the most horrible situation livable."

---

Dear GKTW,

Our time at GKTW was one of those rarest of things in life where it got better and better with every moment and detail. I really have a hard time explaining Give Kids The World to our friends and family. What words can describe a pony ride, a bit of Bass fishing, a dip in the pool, a ride on the carousel, an ice cream cone, and meeting Alice in Wonderland - all before breakfast!

How can I describe to someone how it feels to meet dozens of kids, who have beaten or are beating a life threatening disease, laughing and smiling with their siblings and parents? Being part of this group of people is truly special to us.

My most vivid descriptions of GKTW cannot do it justice. We did not want to leave GKTW. Who would? All the kids and their families that are current or future visitors to GKTW will not want to leave either. They will have to do as we do. That is to watch their video, look at their photos, and talk to their kids about their stay at GKTW. We do these things constantly. Thank you all so much.

With all our love,

"Princess" Emma's family

P.S. Emma was wondering if 'Ol Elmer has woken up yet.

---

Hi,

I just wanted to thank you. On April 10th through the 15th our family and our daughter Savvanah, who battled cancer for 16 months, got to have a great week there because of you and 4 days after we got home our angel passed away. So thank you for giving us the best week of our life - that last week our daughter was alive. We will miss her forever but will be grateful we got to spend a full week with just her and our family the week before she died.

Thanks so much for everything you do,

Savvanah's family

---

Dear Give Kids The World,

I cannot express how thankful we are to Give Kids The World! My daughter, Holli, was a "wish kid" at the Village from January 6th to January 12th. "I can only imagine what it was like for her to have an entire week where everything is accessible and everything is about her! This truly was her (and my entire families) trip of a lifetime!

Everyone we encountered at the Village was so nice and helpful. It was so nice to be in a place where there were no stares and there were no "can't's." I have often said in a joking manner that there needs to be an "island" where we can go so our kids will be judged by all they are instead of all they are not nor will ever be. . .well, it was a dream, but then we found Give Kids The World and I think I found my "island." Give Kids The World is by far the closest my family will get to being in heaven without actually being there. I am sure in my heart of hearts that the Village is right on the edge of heaven.

We loved being at the theme parks but even that does not compare to how we felt at the Village itself. From the moment we pulled up to the Village to the moment we drove away in tears, we felt nothing but love and caring.

Thank you for giving my daughter the acceptance, love, and fun she does not normally get from the world outside of Give Kids The World! Thank you for family memories that will last our entire lifetimes. Give Kids The World was by far the highlight of my entire life! Thank you for giving Holli the World and filling her with hopes and dreams for tomorrow!

Holli's Mom

Texas

Dear the Angels at Give Kids The World Village;

Thank you so very much for our truly amazing week with you! I don't even know where to begin to thank you. From the moment we met our greeter from GKTW at the airport we were treated so special.

Every day when we left Give Kids The World, we could not wait to get back. One day we didn't go anywhere. We enjoyed the whole day in the Village. We all loved the many attractions in Florida but our most memorable and forever unforgettable moments took place at GKTW.

One particular evening, a magical thing happened! We were walking hand in hand along a path on our way to another one of our many fun filled evenings at GKTW, when all of a sudden, I could feel Kara start to skip, "the happy childhood skip". She has not had this magical skip to her walk since she was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

During the last 2 ½ years, Kara has been very reserved, always deep in her thoughts with many worries. I can't tell you how it felt to see her skipping along so happily!! It was as if she actually forgot all of her worries and became the happy carefree little girl we had before leukemia. To this day she continues to have her magical skip when she walks.

Thank you so much for giving our family this magical vacation!

Bless you,

(Mom)

---

Dear Give Kids The World,

I just felt the need to let you know, just how wonderful the entire experience was for my daughter and our family. Jessica had her wish granted on Sept. 21, 2001 right after September 11th. The entire experience was wonderful and rewarding for our entire family. We walked away from the village with memories that will last a life time. Jessica has said that it opened her eyes to the suffering of other families and kids. She had a new awareness of how other families have coped with illness and suffering.

Soon after our trip my husband, whom is active duty navy, was sent overseas with the threat of Sept. 11th. He left on Nov 12th and was gone until June the following year. We talked often during that time about our trip. You see we would've never been able to afford a trip like that; the village and everyone involved created lifetime memories.

Jessica is still with us, she suffers from a bone disease called Osteogenesis Imperfecta and she has had over 500 bone fractures. We had been told since we found out that she would not make to her teenage years. Jessica will be 18 in April. She is my hero and has been an inspiration to others whom she comes into their lives.

One day we would love to return to the Village and volunteer. To give back in some small way since there is no way we could repay what has been given to us. The lives that you touch in what the village does and all that is stands for has forever changed this family.

North Carolina

---

Dear Ms. Landwirth:

Our family had the privilege of staying at Give Kids The World in February. Thank you is too small of a word to tell you what the Village means to us. In the "real world," Olivia is on the sidelines most of the time, but during our stay at GKTW, she was center stage. She WAS the princess. In fact, everyone at the Village called her "princess" and treated her just like royalty.

I know how much effort and thought and love you must put into every detail because it shows. Words cannot express how grateful we are. But, perhaps we can express to you our gratitude, in part at least, with this one experience that we enjoyed on our wish trip.

Meeting Blue of Blue's Clues was Olivia's wish. The wish foundation did not realize that Blue was no longer a part of the theme park. During orientation, we discovered that fact. 'Don't worry about a thing," was the reply from the GKTW staff. 'Be at the Castle of Miracles at 7:00 p.m."

When we arrived at the castle, there was a party with blue balloons, music, dancing, crafts, and, of course, Blue! When we walked in the door, we heard, "Olivia is here!" Everyone was making way for little Olivia to get to her beloved Blue. My heart was about to burst out of my body while I watched, through tears, Blue and Olivia. Blue licked her (she still talks about that daily) and danced and squeezed her while Olivia giggled and squealed in delight. I became so overcome that I squeezed Blue myself and did some squealing too! I watched my little girl DANCE! At the Village, she felt comfortable enough to dance with the other children. We played games, did crafts, and squeezed Blue some more.

There is story after story just like these that I could write many pages, but instead I will keep them tucked away and etched on my heart. . .forever.

Love,

Olivia's family

Oklahoma

---

Dear all involved with GKTW,

I cannot find the words to thank you enough for our experiences at Give Kids The World Village. After returning home from our dream vacation we are all filled with a renewed sense of hope that cannot be described. As I'm sure you know, illness often tears a family apart; our family now has a feeling of unity again after experiencing the absolute magical miracles at Give Kids The World.

To recount each one individually would require a novel-length letter. Kristina was made to feel like a queen. Two of my children are disabled and for the first time in their lives we were in a place where they felt they belonged. There were no obstacles, no stares, no questions about their afflictions; only total acceptance and love. The joy and love we experienced from the staff and volunteers at GKTW was like the feeling you get when seeing long lost family. It was truly amazing.

I only pray that one day we will have the opportunity to give back to this organization. The gift of our vacation at GKTW is truly priceless and we cannot thank you enough.

All our love,

Kristina's family

---

Dear Ms. Landwirth & staff,

I want to write and express my utmost respect and gratitude to you for the wonderful visit our family enjoyed at your Village this past summer. We visited the last week in July and it was a cherished experience we will never forget.

Our daughter, Katie, was diagnosed with an incurable brain tumor and her wish was to visit Disney World with her family. You can probably imagine how low our mood was when we were struggling to put a trip together. It was an answer to our prayers when all the arrangements were made for us to travel to Florida and to stay with you for a week.

Katie had a lovely time. She romped carefree on your campus, marveled at the beautiful houses, held court in her very own house, took a bath in a tub that was suited to her needs, and lounged in your beautiful pool. Your staff and volunteers were warm, cordial, and ready to spoil Katie and her sisters. She was happy to eat as much bacon as she wanted at breakfast and had third helpings in your ice cream parlor. I can't imagine a better time.

As her father, it warmed my heart to see her smile in spite of all the suffering. We were so grateful to have a brief time to forget the nightmare we were living. The Village became a sanctuary from the needles, pills, and radiation masks. For one week we were a normal family, living life to its fullest. For one week we felt free to laugh and embrace and build those last few precious memories. You can't put a price on that.

Katie ended her fight with cancer on August 9, 2005, only a few weeks after her trip. She passed peacefully in her sleep. We miss her terribly, of course. But we will forever be grateful that her last days were spent being happy and doing what every child should be doing: playing with her family with no care for tomorrow.

Please know that from one grateful father that your work is of the highest importance and that you minister to families in ways that no one else can.

God bless every one of you for your tireless work. Like the stars on the ceiling of your Enchanted Castle, an army of children smile down from heaven in gratitude for your kindness. And Katie is right there with them."

Katie's father

Columbia, SC

Letter Excerpts:

We never talked with our son about his cancer once we got to the Village ... we never again talked about the difficult times ahead ... we just enjoyed life and took each day as it was. Our brief escape at your Village was a gift beyond comprehension.

The S. Family, AR

---

Our 13-year old son was diagnosed with a rare form of bone cancer. From the onset of his diagnosis, we were plummeted into a whirlwind of doctors, chemotherapy, surgery, rehabilitation and so on. There is little time to catch your breath before the next series of events. Not to mention this poor little kid, who one day is out playing with friends and the next is losing his hair, his self-esteem, and essentially life as he knew it. Any debilitating illness affects the entire family in ways that "normal" families can't envision. Families are often left ravaged and in fragments. But with our wish-granting foundation and Give Kids The World there was a pause in the calamity, a rest. Our son's wish to go to Disney World was a trip of a lifetime for us all. We were a normal family again on vacation. There were no hospitals, no I.V.'s, no sickness. We laughed and were amazed that it was just like old times. Thank you most of all for the memories, no matter what happens next we will always have those, which are more valuable than any treasure.

The B. Family, PA

---

Our daughter has been a changed little girl since our visit to Give Kids The World. Just two weeks before our visit, she was having trouble eating and tired very easily. Since arriving, I've rarely seen her with so much energy. After returning home, she continued this energy. Two weeks later she had an M.R.I. The doctors informed us that the tumor did not appear on the scans. It had disappeared ... gone!!! Granted, the neurosurgeon, nurses, doctors, and hospital staff had a major part in it, but she believes it to be MAGIC. We all tend to agree. We want you to know that WE believe that EVERYONE had a hand in her cure. Thank you for brightening a little girl's life (and ours as well). Our stay at Give Kids The World will be cherished forever.

The G. Family, WA

---

You made my grandson forget about his illness for a little while, and filled his eyes with sighs he has never seen, you gave him a smile so big he couldn't stop grinning, and the laughter was so bold. For a brief time he was the happiest and the most excited that I have ever seen him ... thank you. Without your help none of it would have been possible, and my grandson would have left this world never knowing, or seeing, the wonders of such a grand place as Disney World. Our grandson left this world knowing that there are people that still care about children, their hopes, and dreams, and that they care enough to do something about it.

The R. Family, ID

---

We are so very thankful for your organization and for all those who so generously game to make our trip a cherished lifetime memory. Give Kids The World seems to understand the value of a smile, a prayer, and an uplifting spirit when conventional medicine has don all that it can. That is why we so lovingly refer to you all as our earthbound angels. What a fantastic place this world would be, if we took the time as you do, to serve others above ourselves! Thank you for helping us, in your own special way, turn the curse of an illness into a blessing. We will remain forever grateful.

---

A child's wish is grandiose and beautiful and simple all at once. It is all about a wonderful fantasy they create in their mind if they lived in a perfect world. Because they have no concept of living in a world of imperfection, they have no reason to believe their wish is unattainable. As adults our wishes become practical, complicated and with full knowledge that they will never come true. We know that those wishes are for a place that doesn't exist, for things we don't need, for a life that is far beyond the one we live.

As a parent of a child with a life-threatening illness, our wish became so simple and childlike. We did not wish that our child never got cancer, we just wished that he would be one of the lucky ones who would live. And like a child, we believed that wish would come true.

You created a perfect wish for a young child. I am sure you knew this when you created this perfect wish; a perfect fantasyland to visit, ice cream whenever you want, a personal greeting from fantasy heroes, and the list goes on and on.

What makes the gift even more meaningful is that you included the entire family.

What you may have not known is the wonderful wish you fulfilled for us as parents. Nothing could be more perfect than a vacation where we didn't have any financial worries; where we could say "yes" more than "no," where we could reconnect as a family and reflect on and celebrate the events that brought us to this wonderful place.

---

It was a very welcome change to talk to people without having to explain Cameron's illness and for people not to stare at him the second he entered a room; for the first time in ages Cameron was accepted for who he is.

The experience was far better than any of our wildest dreams. The children relaxed so much and we were able to forget about all that was happening at home and focus on having fun. That's something that we had forgotten to do as a family!

Since our return, Cameron has been a different child; his confidence in talking to people about his holiday is very uncharacteristic. He even stood in front of his class and show them his photos – the first time many in his class had ever heard him speak!

Cameron is going back into the hospital and we are now going in armed with photos of Give Kids The World and we are hoping that this will aid with his recovery and help us all stay positive.

---

Without any of you fully realizing it, you were wrapping the arms of God around one weary family, and providing the most extravagant send-off possible on earth, as our daughter stepped from the Magic Kingdom into God's Heavenly Kingdom. We didn't appear to be a family with a terminally ill child during our stay as she popped in and out of her wheelchair to skip or dance, and frolicked with her older, healthier sisters...

The B. Family, OH

Selected Quotes from families who have stayed at GKTW Village:

• The village was a small Disney World within itself. The most beautiful place I have ever seen. I was able to be a normal kid for once in my life. Thank you - Ashtyn
• The best thing was not feeling like I had to protect Alexis from the world. No one looked at her funny, no one got impatient with her when loading on or off the carousel and trolley. The word "special" here is meant in a good way!
• You made my whole family feel like royalty. We are not wealthy people but we were treated with the same type of respect. – Kameron
• We enjoyed being able to spend very special time together as a family without all the extra worries and stress that would be expected with a trip like this. – Tory's Family
• I didn't have to worry or fight for anything like I do in my everyday life. I have never seen my Hanna smile so much and be so happy – Hanna's Family
• Michael was able to go on his first train ride and Carousel ride. He loved both! Our family, for the first time, felt like we were normal. That feeling was priceless!
• We were made to feel special instead of different. Here we fit in and everything was wheel chair accessible for Justin. Thank you so much for this wonderful experience.
• Seeing Mickey & Minnie without waiting hours was wonderful and something Cody will always remember.
• AJ has never had a birthday party or experienced anything like this and not only did your staff and other visitors make him feel special but they extended the same warmth to my other son. This is the first time AJ experienced a "family" experience with all of us laughing together. Beyond words – Thank you

Give Kids The World – At a Glance

Village Description - Give Kids The World Village (GKTW) is a 70-acre, non-profit resort in Central Florida that creates magical memories for children with life-threatening illnesses and their families. GKTW provides accommodations at its whimsical resort, donated attractions tickets, meals and more for a week-long, cost-free fantasy vacation. With the help of many generous individuals, corporations and partnering wish-granting organizations, Give Kids The World has welcomed more than 75,000 families from all 50 states and over 50 countries.

Terminology - Children visiting Give Kids The World battle "life-threatening illnesses." We kindly ask you not to use the phrases "terminally ill" or "terminal illness" when referring to the children who visit Give Kids The World Village. This includes using the terminology in any printed or public material. Each year, over 3,000 volunteers dedicate their time and their talents to Give Kids The World Village. We refer to our special volunteers as our "Angels."

• Give Kids The World was founded in 1986 by Henri Landwirth. Give Kids The World Village opened its doors soon after to children and their families in 1989.
• GKTW is a 70-acre, non-profit resort for children with life-threatening illnesses whose one wish is to visit Central Florida's most famous theme park attractions.
• Wish Children who visit GKTW are between the ages of 3-18.
• Since our founding, GKTW has hosted over 80,000 children and their families from all 50 states and over 50 countries worldwide.
• Give Kids The World Village can accommodate over 100 families at one time.
• Over 250 wish-granting organizations refer children to us whose wish is to visit Central Florida's best loved attractions.
• GKTW is funded through individual and corporate contributions and donations, and is not a recipient of any government funding.
• GKTW protects the privacy of all donors, volunteers, Wish Families and staff. We do not provide mailing lists for any reason.
• GKTW is recognized as a good steward of donated funds. We consistently keep our fundraising and administrative costs below 10%.
• GKTW is proud to be rated the #1 charity in Florida and in the top 20 in the United States as rated by Charity Navigator.
• Mayor Clayton is the six foot tall character who presides over the Village, entertaining children and tucking them in at night, upon request. He is joined by his wife Ms. Merry, and Murphy The Gingerbread Man, a huggable gingerbread cookie friend.

© 2007 Kevin Yee

Let's Discuss!

Click on this link to discuss this article on MiceChat!