Nov03VillageNews

Dear Family,
One of my favorite times of the year is the week of the IAAPA Convention and Trade Show. It is exciting to see what’s new in the industry. But more important, it is wonderful to reconnect with the people who attend the event. Although we keep in touch throughout the year with letters, phone calls, and e-mail, it’s not the same as being able to see you in person to express our heartfelt appreciation for everything you do to help Give Kids The World!

IAAPA members are a very special part of our Give Kids The World (GKTW) family. Trade show week is like a family reunion, a time to celebrate our wonderful history together, as well as to look forward to plans on the horizon. Give Kids The World is forever grateful for your commitment to creating magical memories for children with life-threatening illnesses and their families.

Warmth and Welcome
You share a tremendous passion for our mission and continually reach out to GKTW to channel that passion into making a difference in the lives of so many families at the Village. This past September 13, you definitely made an impact on a young man named Jeremy and his family—the sixty-thousandth family to discover that someone truly cares about bringing hope and happiness into their lives. The arrival of Jeremy’s family represented a significant, yet bittersweet milestone for GKTW. It is sobering to realize that so many children suffer from life-threatening illnesses, but heartwarming to know that your support enables us to bring joy and laughter to their lives.

When Jeremy stepped into the Village, he thought the place was built just for him. After all, you’ve made sure that our Village is more extraordinary than any child could possibly imagine. You’ve given us the best of the best in resources, ranging from the whimsical benches on the Avenue of Angels to the delicious treats in Julie’s Safari Theater. Childhood wonders abound around every corner at the Village: a clown-shaped trash receptacle that giggles and gobbles scraps of paper out of a child’s hands, a dinosaur-themed miniature golf course, and arcade games. Certainly, Jeremy won’t forget the many exciting details from his dream come true.

The warmth of your generosity at the Village is matched only by the tremendous welcome that you give to the families when they visit your own theme parks and attractions. Jeremy’s family had many wonderful experiences at the Central Florida theme parks. They’ll also enjoy themselves immensely when they use their World Passport for Kids to visit IAAPA member facilities throughout the next year. The adventures ahead of them will help to keep the smiles on their faces and the joy in their hearts. Thank you so much for understanding why the World Passport program is such an integral part of the Give Kids The World experience.

Sharing the Good Times
During the Trade Show, I hope you have the opportunity to meet Brianne Schwantes. Brianne will be representing GKTW because of her extraordinary perspective that is particularly appropriate for our family reunion. Brianne is an exceptional young lady who, after her recent graduation from American University, chose to return to the Village for a year before starting law school. We originally had the honor of meeting Brianne in 1989 when she visited the Village during her own Wish vacation.

Now, Brianne is eager to spend a year at the Village helping to make a difference in the lives of our special guests. She is such an inspiration to everyone around her. Brianne has many encouraging words to share, and if you don’t get to meet with her at the IAAPA Convention and Trade Show, please look for a report from her in a future Village News column in Funworld.

The energy at the IAAPA Convention and Trade Show is amazing. This year, you’re also helping to open the new North/South Complex at the Orange County Convention Center. You’ve also included GKTW in all of your progress with the debut of the IAAPA Charity Golf Tournament and Fashion Presentation. We can’t thank you enough for these new developments, as well as your many ideas for the enhancement of our relationship.

We at Give Kids The World are truly proud to be part of the IAAPA family, a family who has embraced our mission and the children we serve with unparalleled caring and compassion. We hope you enjoy your time in Orlando and encourage you to save a few moments to come see us at the Village!

With love,

Pamela Landwirth,
president, GKTW