Located in Kissimmee Fla., the
Give Kids The World Village is an 89-acre, nonprofit resort that provides
free, weeklong vacations to critically
ill children and their families from all
around the world.
The Village was created in 1989, after
the founder, Henri Landwirth, met a
little girl named Amy who suffered from
leukemia. She wished to visit the Disney
World theme parks in Orlando, Fla.;
however, the travel plans took too long
to arrange, and before her wish could
be granted, Amy passed away. From that
day forward, Landwirth decided it would
be his life’s mission to give a piece of
childhood back to ill children by granting
them a fast-arranged, wish vacation.
Since then, the Village has welcomed
almost 200,000 families, which is
made possible through the support
of generous donors and community
partners, as well as an abundance of
passionate volunteers, donating their
time and efforts to make the wishes of
the children come true.
During the weeklong vacation at
the Village, wish families can expect
to laugh, play and create priceless
memories together, separate from the
endless hospital visits and medical
procedures they have come accustomed
to over the years. The children will be
reminded of what it means to actually
be a child, filled with lots of joy and little
worry in the seven days they spend at the
Give Kids The World Village.
Recently, Central Florida Pool
and Spa, a routine maintenance and
intricate repair/remodel pool company
located in Davenport, Fla., took it upon
themselves to support the Village,
donating and installing both a handicap
lift and pool heater.
“As the owner of Central Florida Pool
and Spa, I believe it was paramount
for us to support an organization like
Give Kids The World, which provides
dream vacations for children with critical
illnesses, because this initiative aligns
with our company values of community
engagement and making a positive
impact,” says Jeff Mckinney.
“Witnessing the joy and healing
that aquatic experiences can bring, we
were able to team with vendors and
donate, and then install, an Aqua Creek
handicap lift and a Jandy Pool Heater
to ensure that every child at Give Kids
The World can enjoy the therapeutic
benefits of the pool. Ultimately, we are
just excited to contribute to the wellbeing
of these children.”
