Give Kids The World holiday events help critically ill children hear the word ‘Yes’
Several Give Kids the World holiday events have been announced to help make the wishes of critically ill kids come true.
Give Kids the World Village, an 89-acre nonprofit resort in Kissimmee, Fla., that provides week-long, cost-free “wish” vacations to critically ill children and their families, strives to say “YES” since so much of their life involves being told “no.”
To accomplish this, the non-profit organization does fundraising, and this holiday season, there are many opportunities for people to help.
Give Kids The World holiday events
A Holiday Soiree, Holiday VIP Tours, and Holiday Dessert Parties highlight a season-long series of fundraising experiences that will make wishes possible for critically ill children and their families.
In previous years, guests could view holiday lights and raise money for Give Kids The World Village. This year’s version of holiday events elevates that style of event, giving the public a rare glimpse inside Give Kids The World Village.
Holiday Soiree
The holiday festivities kick off on Nov. 11, 2023, with an elegant evening of fundraising and friend-making at Give Kids The World’s 2023 Holiday Soiree. This mini gala with a holiday twist features a plated dinner, live entertainment, and live and silent auctions followed by a festive party on the Village’s Avenue of Angels.
Amidst glittering lights and dazzling décor, guests can dance to a DJ, indulge in delectable desserts, and explore the iconic Castle of Miracles. The Castle of Miracles serves as the home to the gold stars of every wish child who has visited. More than 180,000 stars adorn the ceiling of this special area.
Individual tickets and VIP packages are available for this limited-space opportunity. Tickets can be purchased by visiting www.gktw.org/soiree23.
Give Kids The World’s Holiday VIP Tours
Starting Nov. 17, 2023, new VIP tours on select nights in November and December will enable guests to experience Give Kids The World Village all decked out for the holidays.
Holiday VIP Tours will include:
- Escorted access to select venues on the Avenue of Angels
- Viewing a dazzling tree trail
- Exploring holiday vignettes from Give Kids The World partners
- Festive photos with fun props and backdrops
Tickets can be purchased by visiting www.gktw.org/holidays/.
Give Kids The World’s Holiday Dessert Parties
Give Kids The World’s Holiday Dessert Parties help guests take their seasonal celebrations to the next level. Groups of up to 30 guests can enjoy a festive gathering in one of the balcony areas on Towne Hall with panoramic views of the Avenue of Angels decked out with millions of glittering lights. According to Give Kids the World Village, these special parties will be ideal for office parties, friends and family events, marriage proposals, and other special occasions.
Each party includes an assortment of delicious holiday treats and sparkling beverages, along with a private tour of The Avenue. Dessert Parties can be booked for $60 per person by contacting [email protected].
National Association of Professional Employer Organizations (NAPEO)
Members of the National Association of Professional Employer Organizations funded the installation of more than 1.6 million lights to illuminate Give Kids The World Village throughout the holiday season.
“We launched NAPEO Gives Back in 2019 with the goal of harnessing the ‘power of many’ to contribute meaningfully to the communities where we host our conferences,” said Barron Guss, co-chair of the NAPEO Gives Back committee. “This year, in partnership with Give Kids The World Village, we’re taking our commitment to the next level by spreading joy and making a lasting impact on the lives of children facing critical illnesses. Together, we are creating magical moments and memories that will be cherished for a lifetime.”
As part of its NAPEO Gives Back program, its members and staff selected Give Kids The World as the charity of choice for their annual conference. So far, more than $300,000 has been raised through a silent auction and online donations to fund the holiday lighting and other Village projects
“We are grateful to NAPEO for helping to brighten the lives of our precious families,” said Pamela Landwirth, president and CEO of Give Kids The World Village. “Children with critical illnesses face countless appointments, treatments and hospital stays, and they are often told ‘no’ due to the limitations of their illness. With the support of our partners, donors and volunteers, we feel privileged to give wish children and their families a week of ‘yes’ where they can forget their worries, experience joy, and spend precious time together.”
Proceeds from all holiday activities help Give Kids The World Village create happiness, renew optimism, and ignite an enduring sense of hope in the hearts of wish families.
The Power of “Yes”
For many “wish” families, their visit to Give Kids The World Village serves as a welcome respite from constant medical visits and trips to the hospital. The significant life concerns are removed for at least a week to help these courageous, critically ill children and their families face the road ahead.
At the Village, every family is treated to an all-inclusive, customized experience, including transportation, accommodations, meals and snacks, donated theme park tickets, nightly entertainment, daily gifts, and more. Located in Kissimmee, Fla., the Village is one of less than 1% of all U.S. charities to receive Charity Navigator’s highest rating 17 years in a row.
For more information or to donate, visit www.gktw.org.
