2019/2020 Annual Report
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Annual Report 2019-2020 Where Happiness Inspire Hope. Give Kids The World Village is an 89-acre nonprofit storybook resort in Central Florida that provides critically ill children and their families with magical, weeklong wish vacations at no cost. This includes accommodations in whimsical villas, transportation, donated theme park tickets, meals, nightly entertainment, and unique interactive experiences at the Village. A stay at the Village is much more than a vacation. During one transformative week, wish families laugh, play, and create priceless memories together away from hospital visits and medical procedures. It’s a magical week of “YES” where wish kids can experience the simple joys of childhood, and where families can recapture some of the precious moments that may have been missed due to their child’s illness. Since 1986, Give Kids The World Village has welcomed more than 176,000 families from all 50 states and 76 countries. The Village is made possible by the support of generous donors and community partners, as well as thousands of passionate volunteers – who donate their time and talent helping to make wishes come true. For more information, please visit givekidstheworld.org. Dear Friend It’s impossible to reflect on the past year without acknowledging the tremendous impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on every aspect of our lives. It tested our resolve, and presented many unforeseen challenges. But on the heels of these hurdles, our extraordinary Village rose to the occasion – using our collective passion, ingenuity and resourcefulness to identify opportunities for getting back to our mission of spreading joy and creating the happiness that inspires hope for our precious families. We came out stronger, with renewed optimism and a greater appreciation for the kindness and generosity of the human spirit. To everyone who has helped us to continue our nearly 35-year legacy of transforming lives, thank you from the bottom of my heart. With love and gratitude, Pamela Landwirth President & CEO Give Kids The World Village TOTAL DOMESTIC 4 ,757 Alabama – 80 Illinois – 232 Montana – 16 South Carolina –67 Alaska – 11 Indiana – 97 Nebraska – 29 South Dakota – 33 Arizona – 90 Iowa – 56 Nevada – 37 Tennessee – 110 Arkansas – 49 Kansas – 41 New Hampshire – 29 Texas – 487 Total California – 198 Kentucky – 68 New Jersey – 239 Utah – 93 Colorado – 87 Louisiana – 60 New Mexico – 31 Vermont – 13 Connecticut –55 Maine – 23 New York – 308 Virginia – 101 Delaware – 23 Maryland –59 North Carolina –175 Washington –112 District of Massachusetts –110 North Dakota – 12 West Virginia – 29 Columbia –8 Michigan – 216 Ohio – 204 Wisconsin – 127 Florida – 235 Minnesota – 84 Oklahoma – 53 Wyoming – 7 Georgia –145 Mississippi – 48 Oregon – 42 Puerto Rico – 36 Families Hawaii – 21 Missouri – 93 Pennsylvania –228 Idaho – 23 Rhode Island – 27 served TOTAL INTERNATIONAL 687 Argentina – 3 Colombia – 6 Mexico – 11 Portugal – 1 Australia – 1 Hong Kong – 1 Netherlands – 5 South Africa – 1 Barbados – 4 Israel – 57 New Zealand – 1 Spain – 2 Brazil – 2 Ireland – 17 Panama – 4 United Arab Emirates – 1 5,444 Canada – 355 Italy – 1 Peru – 1 United Kingdom– 213 A Pandemic Pivot The COVID-19 pandemic has had a disproportionate effect on nonprofits, and Give Kids The World is no exception. On March 18, 2020, the Village said goodbye to its last wish family before closing its whimsical gates temporarily – delaying more than 6,000 wishes. During the closure, the Village took the opportunity to continue doing what it does best… improving lives and spreading joy. To assist other organizations hard hit by the pandemic, the Village donated six tons of food to the Second Harvest Food Bank; mailed out 1,800 “Boxes of Hope” to critically ill children whose wishes were postponed; and donated the use of its property to the Dreams Come True and Canine Companions for Independence nonprofits. In addition, Give Kids The World focused on preparing the Village for its eventual reopening by completing numerous upgrades and improvements throughout the property. Servant Leadership Volunteers are the heart and soul of the Village, and one volunteer who personifies the spirit of philanthropy and servant leadership is Jim Gourley. During just five months in 2020, Jim traveled from his home in South Carolina to volunteer more than 1,200 hours in virtually every capacity possible to help prepare Give Kids The World Village for its reopening. Humbly, passionately, and with an infectious smile, Jim has made an enormous impact at the Village during weeks-long volunteer visits. Despite his own battle with cancer, Jim continued to devote his time and talents helping to brighten the lives of those facing the most devastating challenges a family can endure. Most recently, Jim created six lending libraries that will be located throughout the Village. “I believe that I was sent to Give Kids The World prior to my illness to give me the perspective I needed,” says Jim. “If I felt a little pain, I simply thought of the truly amazing kids I had met and what they lived with on a daily basis…and my pain was diminished. I never once asked ‘why me,’ and that would not have been the case if this had occurred before my GKTW service. You have given me purpose along with a new measure of success far more important than any career accomplishment ever could. Henri’s Starlite Scoops: Delivering Happiness One Delicious Scoop At A Time Give Kids The World guests have a delicious new venue in which to enjoy the Village’s signature Ice Cream For Breakfast! The new Henri’s Starlite Scoops accessible ice cream parlor – named in honor of Give Kids The World Village Founder Henri Landwirth – was completed in March, with a planned grand opening on March 24 postponed due to the pandemic. Designed by Disney Imagineering in collaboration with Universal Creative, and with support from community partners and individual donors, every aspect of Henri’s Starlite Scoops was created with accessibility in mind. Custom- built 28-inch tall ice cream chests in lieu of the traditional 34-inch cases will make it possible for children in wheelchairs to pick out their favorite flavors, while lower countertops, an accessible ice cream toppings bar and an open floorplan will enable those in wheelchairs to easily navigate the venue and enjoy its immersive theming. The view from the windows is “outer space,” with a 30-foot UFO adorning the top of the building. The new venue will help create lasting memories for the nearly 8,400 families who typically stay at Give Kids The World each year. Stellar’s Starry Night Ball Created in 2019, Stellar’s Starry Night Ball transformed the Hoppening Place into a magical ballroom full of stars, laughter and joy. Featuring all of the excitement and unforgettable traditions of a typical prom – complete with a DJ, disco ball lights and refreshments, each enchanting evening provided wish children and their families with an opportunity to dance, twirl, play games and create precious memories. At Give Kids The World Village, we rely on the extraordinary generosity of countless individuals, organizations and corporate partners to create happiness and hope for the families we serve. Thank You We are honored to have their support. As Give Kids The World Village’s first corporate partner, Walt Disney World has been helping the Village spread happiness, create magical memories and inspire hope for critically ill children and their families for nearly 35 years. Since 1986, Walt Disney World has generously provided wish families with complimentary theme park tickets, hosted special Disney character meet and greets at the Village, and engaged employees to volunteer their time and talent throughout the year helping to make wishes come true. We are grateful to Walt Disney World for the enormous impact it has made on countless children and families throughout the years. Partner Since 1986 Platinum Level Since 1990, Universal Orlando Resort has been a universal help to Give Kids The World Village. From the free tickets it provides, to the costumed characters who bring excitement to the Village, Universal Orlando makes a special impact on visiting children and their families. Alongside superheroes with super-human powers or wizards with wands, Universal Orlando makes it possible for visiting families to experience an entire universe of action, thrills, and excitement at its parks. In addition, the company raises funds for the Village with its sparkling fountains. Universal Orlando has made an indelible impression at the Village by helping to create Marc’s DinoPutt, our dinosaur-themed and fully interactive miniature golf course. Fun and smiles can be found around every corner of this course, which includes a smoking volcano, a glow-in-the-dark cave, our very own Tyrannosaurus rex and more. Universal Orlando also contributes fun souvenir items for families in support of our daily gift-giving program, while Universal Orlando employees regularly donate their time volunteering countless hours at the Village. Partner Since 1990 Platinum Level Founding Partner SeaWorld Parks & Resorts has been providing visiting families with fun and adventure for more than three decades. Through complimentary tickets and unparalleled hospitality, wish families have an opportunity to get an up-close look at the beauty and mystery of ocean life while enjoying special perks such as free food trays to feed the park’s rays and sea lions. SeaWorld broadcasts live, interactive segments of “Live from Shamu Stadium” straight to The Peppermint Table inside Café Clayton every week. In addition, popular SeaWorld characters make a splash by visiting the Village throughout the year to share smiles and joy with wish families. We are appreciative to SeaWorld for helping us spread happiness and hope for more than three decades. Partner Since 1986 Platinum Level For wish families, the simple pleasure of sharing a wonderful meal together is a priceless experience.