Give the Kids the World Village

Give Kids the World

A cost-free dream vacation for children with critical illness

Episode 108 – The Family Vacationer with Rob and Danny

In this special year-end episode, we spotlight a place where hope takes center stage: Give Kids the World Village in Kissimmee, Florida. This 89-acre nonprofit resort grants cost-free weeklong vacations to children with critical illnesses and their families—offering not just relief, but joyful memories that last a lifetime.

Rob and Danny are joined by DJ Klasi, Development Coordinator at Give Kids the World, to share the inspiring story of how the village began, how it’s grown, and the incredible experiences families can expect when they visit.

🎙️ In this episode:

• The powerful origin story of Give Kids the World, founded by Holocaust survivor Henry Landwirth
• How the resort partners with Make-A-Wish and other organizations to grant trips to Central Florida
• What a typical week looks like for a visiting family—from nightly themed parties to character meet-and-greets, pony rides, pool days, and more
• Why some families say the best part of their wish trip wasn’t the theme parks—it was staying at the village
• The impact of alumni families and how many return year after year to give back

🎁 A peek into the magic:

• 🎃 Halloween every Monday – costumes, trick-or-treating, and a kid-friendly fashion show
• 🎄 Christmas every Thursday – Santa visits with gifts for every child
• 🍿 In-house movie theater with recent Disney releases
• 🎠 Wheelchair-accessible attractions, pony rides, and daily family-friendly programming

💖 Get involved:

• Volunteer – from scooping ice cream to running attractions, every shift helps. Families can volunteer together!
• Donate – fundraisers like the Gingerbread Run or Over the Edge rappel support the village’s life-changing mission
• Spread the word – even learning about the village helps more families receive the gift of joy and hope

🌐 Visit gktw.org to learn more, donate, or sign up to volunteer.

💬 “The vibe here isn’t sadness—it’s joy. It’s magic. You leave with a full heart.” – DJ Klasi

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