Report 2018-2019 Where Happiness Inspire Hope
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Annual Report 2018-2019 Where Happiness Inspire Hope. Give Kids The World Village is an 84-acre, nonprofit “storybook” resort located near Central Florida’s world- class attractions. Critically ill children and their families are treated to weeklong, cost-free vacations, complete with accommodations in whimsical villas, transportation, donated attraction tickets, meals, and much more. Since 1986, Give Kids The World Village has welcomed more than 170,000 families from all 50 states and over 75 countries. At the Village, these precious children learn that dreams really do come true, as they and their families are immersed in an unforgettable week of joy, hope, and non-stop fun. This extraordinary, life-changing experience is Give Kids The World’s gift, made possible only through the generosity of dedicated corporations and countless individuals. For more information, please visit givekidstheworld.org. Dear Friend At first glance, it may seem like Give Kids The World Village is only a place. But it’s so much more. It’s truly an experience that can transform lives through happiness, joy and kindness. And although words like magical and whimsical are used to describe it, it is not until the Village is seen that it is truly understood. Deep down, Give Kids The World Village is a community of families, volunteers, donors and staff where everyone is welcome. Through their selflessness and generosity this community becomes something bigger than themselves; surrounding critically ill children and their families with extraordinary love. The mission of Give Kids The World is to provide every child and family who visits the resort with not just an unforgettable vacation, but with renewed purpose, optimism, and an enduring sense of hope that continues well after their week here ends. At the Village, we are committed to being excellent stewards of the gifts our supporters so graciously provide. For the 14th consecutive year, Charity Navigator awarded us its coveted four-star rating – the highest possible – for our governance, transparency, and financial accountability. We are delighted to report that 92.4 cents of every dollar spent goes to program services, well above the industry average. I invite you to learn more about this commitment in the pages ahead. With love, Pamela Landwirth President & CEO Give Kids The World Village Total Families served 8,203 TOTAL DOMESTIC 7 ,044 Alabama – 151 Illinois – 313 Montana – 16 South Carolina – 101 Alaska – 15 Indiana – 156 Nebraska – 57 South Dakota – 40 Arizona – 144 Iowa – 94 Nevada – 50 Tennessee – 173 Arkansas – 72 Kansas – 96 New Hampshire – 40 Texas – 679 California – 303 Kentucky – 109 New Jersey – 231 Utah – 106 Colorado – 132 Louisiana – 97 New Mexico – 41 Vermont –11 Connecticut –111 Maine – 34 New York – 450 Virginia – 167 Delaware – 41 Maryland –122 North Carolina –293 Washington –156 District of Massachusetts –165 North Dakota – 21 West Virginia – 60 Columbia –6 Michigan – 234 Ohio – 265 Wisconsin – 159 Florida – 359 Minnesota – 117 Oklahoma – 104 Wyoming – 8 Georgia –142 Mississippi – 65 Oregon – 76 Guam – 10 Hawaii – 46 Missouri – 178 Pennsylvania –367 Puerto Rico – 57 Idaho – 25 Rhode Island – 47 TOTAL INTERNATIONAL 1,159 Argentina – 1 Ecuador – 1 Mexico – 7 Scotland – 3 Barbados – 1 Hong Kong – 2 Netherlands – 9 South Africa – 3 Brazil – 3 Israel – 58 Panama – 5 Spain – 1 Canada – 555 Ireland – 37 Peru – 2 United Kingdom– 389 Colombia – 6 Italy – 1 Portugal – 5 Wales – 1 Dominican Republic – 1 Kelly’s Sunny Swing Another New Dawn For Accessible Fun In February of 2019, Give Kids The World welcomed an exciting new addition to the Village. Kelly’s Sunny Swing, a nine-person, wheelchair-accessible swing debuted, named after a special visitor to the Village as well as the bright, smiling sun that tops the attraction. Kelly visited Give Kids The World in 1993. She had been sick for quite some time, but during her week at the Village she was able to forget about her illness and enjoy being a kid; swimming, dancing and enjoying, as her mom put it, “the most adventurous of rides.” The custom-made ride that honors Kelly’s memory was built by longtime Village partner Zamperla – the same design and manufacturing company responsible for bringing Lori’s Magical Flight and JJ’s Express to the Village. Like their previous offerings, Kelly’s Sunny Swing gives children of all abilities the chance to ride alongside their parents and siblings. As Zamperla President Alberto Zamperla noted, sometimes it’s the first time in a child’s life being able to experience a ride like this. “I received many letters from the parents and children who ride the rides at the Village,” said Zamperla. “They write ‘Thanks to you and your ride, it’s possible for my child to ride a ride for the first time in their life and they were so happy.’ I knew I had to make another ride for Give Kids The World.” A Monumental Milestone Village Volunteers Reach 4 Million Hours of Service It takes an incredible community of dedicated volunteers for the Village to succeed in its mission. These individuals and teams fill a staggering number of shifts: nearly 1,700 every week. Over the years their efforts have added up and, in the fall of 2018, they collectively passed the 4-million-hour mark. That’s equal to more than 450 years of service. From retirees, to spring breakers, our volunteers come from all over to bring laughter and smiles to the children and families who visit Give Kids The World. They deliver cookies, run the carousel, scoop ice cream and transform themselves into pirates and princesses for our nightly parties. They do the day-to-day heavy lifting in the Village – painting, spreading mulch, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. That dedicated service saves Give Kids The World more than $8 million dollars annually, which plays a huge part in allowing us to keep our administrative costs low and allocate more funds directly to our families and their experiences. One of our volunteers summed up why he keeps coming back. “Give Kids The World means the world to me,” said Tyler. “It’s my favorite place to be.” Coasters and a Good Cause Coasting for Kids Gives Back At Theme Parks Nationwide Give Kids The World partnered with theme parks around the country to help our supporters raise money and enjoy a free day of rides, thrills and more with Coasting for Kids. The program’s first event of 2019 was held at Busch Gardens Williamsburg in March. In exchange for raising at least $100, participants receive access to events at the park of their choice. On the day of each event they head to the theme park, wear their Coasting for Kids t-shirt and ride their favorite rides all day long. “This year’s Coasting for Kids is shaping up to be the most exciting yet,” says Steven Amos, Development Director for Give Kids The World. “It gives participants a fun way to support Give Kids The World, while also enjoying time with their family and friends at theme parks. The fun they experience is just a taste of what wish families experience when they’re at the Village.” A Million For Mickey’s Maniacs Longtime Supporters Surpass $1 Million in Donations For twenty years, parents and students from Larose, Louisiana (Population: 7,000) have gone above and beyond for the children of Give Kids The World. Despite the town’s small size, nearly 250 make up the group known as Mickey’s Maniacs, led by Michelle Plaisance who discovered the Village during a Walt Disney World Resort visit. After meeting a wish kid from their area, the group felt compelled to support the Mission of Give Kids The World and began fundraising in every way possible. They have partnered with local businesses to hold 5Ks, golf tournaments, sports concessions, holiday food sales and more. In May, members visited the Village to celebrate over $1 million dollars in donations and twenty years of fundraising. In true Louisiana style, the Village threw a Mardi Gras themed party on the avenue complete with a special parade, featuring Mary Kate’s Magical Express – a vehicle donated by the group and named after a wish child from Larose. The Village was thrilled to welcome the Mickey’s Maniacs and celebrate their enthusiasm, love and generosity. We are so grateful for their kindness and dedication. 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. Give Kids The World Village has always counted on Walt Disney World. As the Village’s first corporate partner, WDW has been with us for more than 30 years, helping to create magical moments for the children and families we serve. Disney generously provides every wish family with complimentary passes to all four of its spectacular theme parks. It gives every wish child a lovable Mickey plush. And, in 2019, Disney graciously allowed us to raffle off a fairy tale wedding at Magic Kingdom Park. The contest raised more than $280,000 for the Village. Twice a week, Disney characters visit the Village for special meet-and- greets with our guests, and Disney employees volunteer throughout the year. Disney supported their volunteer work by contributing almost $67,000 in grants in 2019. WDW is truly a magical partner. Partner Since 1986 Platinum Level: $1 million + Universal Orlando Resort has stood with Give Kids The World for more than 25 years, ensuring that visiting wish kids and their families enjoy a vacation like no other. Universal provides complimentary passes to its world-class theme parks in Orlando and thrills our guests with weekly character visits to the Village.