Give Kids The World

Last week my sister had a Children’s Wish Foundation dream come true. For those who did not know Lee-Ann was diagnosed with Leukemia back in 2004. I am happy to share that she is still in remission and finished chemo treatments October 12th 2006 (and the family does a happy dance). Lee-Ann’s wish: the family visiting DisneyWorld.

Last week was amazing. There are not enough words to express all that we saw and did. DisneyWorld was all it should be –full of wonder, dreams and joy. It was the first for our family. “It was all so magical!” Yet for me next to seeing my family the highlight was the village we were housed at. It’s called Give Kids the World and it beyond wonderful.

Lee-Ann and me meeting the mayor of the GKTW village Mayor Clayton

The Castle of Miracles inside you are welcomed by Rusty the knight. There are different games, activities, discovery centers, the insides of a magical tree/cave/fort-thing including slide, and the Star Fairy. Outside, under the giant mushroom is a merry-go-round. Our first day Lee-Ann rode it five times in a row.

Ol’ Elmer whose been sleeping like a log for as long as anyone can remember. If you walk by him you can actually hear him snore. It is just behind the Castle of Miracles. He is the tree area with the slide inside the castle.

Lee-Ann became an engineer during the week. Here she sits with one the GKTW Angels (volunteers) on Trolley Train, which will pick you up and take you anywhere in the village.

Lee-Ann is sitting in a giant ice cream bowl infront of The Ice Cream Palace.
It was open from 7:30 am till 9 pm everyday serving free ice cream (donated by Friendlys). I denfently had Ice Cream for breakfast.

There is also the Gingerbread House which is the dining hall and provided both breakfast and supper. The food was wonderful (donated by Perkins). I learned to love breakfast!

For the 20th anniversary of GKTW Milton Bradley created a limited edition version of Candyland which is only given to children who have stayed at GKTW. This is a giant copy. Neat face the Guinness world record for the largest game of Candyland was played at GKTW.

Lee-Ann’s favourite thing at GKTW was the dino mini golf.
If you look close at the picture Lee-Ann is wearing a Thing 1 shirt from Cat in the Hat. Dad has Thing 3, Mom has Thing 4 and I have Thing 2.


It’s Snowing!!! in Florida?!?

Every night GKTW has a different celebration. One night was a Candyland theme, and another was a Prince and Pirate Party. One time it was a surprise birthday party for Clayton. This night was Christmas Eve. There were carols sung, dancing Christmas trees and elves. There was cookie decorating and games. Santa even visited all the way from the North Pole and gave out gifts.

Give Kid's the World is a dream come true. I've only shared half the cool stuff they have. The story of its founding, its existence, everything about it is wonderful. They can house up to a 100 families at a time and they were expanding while we were there. What was amazing is it run mostly by volunteers.