Give Kids The World Village cut the ribbon on their new 24-unit Banyan Park Villas earlier this month, and the expansion is allowing even more families to stay at the nonprofit resort for children with life-threatening illnesses.

Banyan Park Villas, the latest expansion of the 79-acre property, joins Give Kids The World Village’s existing 144 units, allowing the facility to accommodate about 1,300 more families each year during their cost-free, weeklong vacations. The project features the Village’s first three-story building and also includes GKTW’s first three-bedroom units, designed to more comfortably house larger families.

In recent years, Give Kids The World Village has experienced a steady increase in demand to fulfill wishes to visit Central Florida’s theme parks and other attractions. Working with about 240 wish granting organizations around the world, GKTW hosts nearly 8,000 wish children and their families annually. More than 27,000 children each year are diagnosed with life-threatening illnesses the United States.

“At the Village, we try to give our precious families experiences they’ll never forget, whether that’s ice cream for breakfast or a special tuck-in after a long day at the theme parks,” said Pamela Landwirth, president and CEO of Give Kids The World Village. “We are thrilled we’ll be able to help even more families create those memories and deeply grateful to the partners and friends who made this exciting expansion possible.”

This first phase of Banyan Park – two other phases are planned — was built through donations from corporate partners and individuals, including Orlando hotelier Harris Rosen, Brighton Hotel Management and GKTW board member Cathy Nash and Macauley Nash.

The building was designed by Benjamin Butera of Butera Designs, and construction took place over a year under general contractor Welbro Building Corporation. Wyndham Hotels and Resorts was instrumental in designing the units and securing furniture. Central Moving & Storage delivered and installed the furniture. And Lisa Schott of Quietly Making Noise designed the building’s soundproofing. In addition, New York City-based artist group Splashes of Hope created a mural that spans the building’s three stories, depicting iconic venues found throughout the Village.

For more information on Give Kids The World Village visit GiveKidsTheWorld.org, and watch this video from earlier in 2016 celebrating the Village’s 30th anniversary: