Living a Fairy Tale

Give Kids The World unveils a portion of its expansion project
by Susan Storey

THIS SPRING, GIVE KIDS THE WORLD (GKTW) celebrated the completion of the Fairy Tale Forest portion of its largest expansion project to date. Two years after the first ground was broken, the 38 new villas that comprise this section are cheerful, whimsical accommodations for the Village’s visiting Wish Families. These needed additions will serve an additional 2,280 families annually.

Each villa, designed with either a castle or cottage theme, is a two-bedroom, two-bathroom “home away from home,” where families can enjoy donated snacks and amenities, daily gifts, and special tuck-ins each night. The Fairy Tale Forest boasts easy access to a new pond and Matthew’s Boundless Playground, a new completely accessible play area.

To make the expansion dream a reality, many corporate partners, both new and longtime Village supporters, adopted villas in the Fairy Tale Forest. Generous villa supporters include Burger King and the Have it Your Way Foundation; Things Remembered; Signature Flight Support; Staybridge Suites; The Children’s Place; IAHI Canada; Contempo Florida Holidays; Golf Channel; AutoNation; Bay Harbour Management; Something mAAgic; JLC Foods; Trustreet; Nickelodeon; Moss Construction; and IAAPA.

IAAPA Villa
Through the generous support of IAAPA and its members during IAAPA Attractions Expo, the association adopted the building of one of the cottage-themed villas. During last year’s Expo, the Village was hard at work creating the home, which is now available to Wish families.

For more than 10 years, IAAPA has partnered with GKTW through the IAAPA World Passport for Kids program and annual fund-raisers. The association and its members are important to the GKTW family, and the grand opening of the new villa is not only a wonderful addition to the Village, but also a physical representation of all the association does for the precious children who come to GKTW.

On Monday, March 23, 6-year-old James and his family from Ontario, Canada, were the first to check into the new IAAPA villa. The family, along with all of the Village families, enjoyed an amazing weeklong cost-free vacation made possible only through the support of GKTW’s treasured partners.

Future Growth
Give Kids The World continues to grow, with enhancements and expansions to many existing venues.

The Village is currently building a brand-new pool and waterplay area, complete with a “splash garden” donated by IAAPA member Vortex. The zero-depth entry pool and interactive waterpark features are scheduled to open this fall. GKTW’s Gingerbread House Restaurant will also receive a new “recipe for fun” with an expansion all its own. Additionally, GKTW is currently working on a horticulture therapy garden with assistance from Walt Disney World, Home Depot, and Harry P. Leu Gardens.

With the many exciting projects stretching across every corner of the Village’s property, the need for assistance never diminishes. To learn more about the Village expansion, and to get involved, log on to www.gktw.org, or call +1 800/995-KIDS.