Give Kids The World Village marks 5 million volunteer Hours

Up to 500 volunteers and wish families will gather Saturday, April 20, at the Park of Dreams Pool at Give Kids The World Village as the organization celebrates 5 million volunteer hours served.

According to organization officials, volunteers have served 5 million hours and filled 1.6 million volunteer shifts at the Village, an 89-acre, whimsical nonprofit resort in Central Florida that provides children with critical illnesses and their families from around the world with magical weeklong wish vacations at no cost.

Festivities will include larger-than-life games, live music, food trucks, visits by Village characters, a dunk tank and other fun family activities designed to thank Give Kids The World volunteers for everything they do to create happiness and hope for wish families.

“Volunteers are the very heart of the Village,” President and CEO Pamela Landwirth said. “Our goal is to spread joy, inspire hope and create magical memories for our precious guests. We simply could not fulfill our mission without our amazing volunteers. We are grateful beyond words that they choose to share their time, talents and hearts with us. Our volunteers change the lives of our wish families, and in the process, their own lives are enriched.”

Every week, volunteers ranging from students and families to seniors, snowbirds, faith, community and corporate group members, and conference attendees fill up to 1,800 volunteer shifts to make wishes possible. Volunteers contribute an average of 229,000 hours each year serving meals; operating the accessible rides and attractions; hosting parties and celebrations; assisting with daily gift-giving; supporting the character program; delivering pizza; scooping ice cream; and countless other roles and responsibilities.

In addition to donating their time, talent and passion, volunteers save the Village nearly $7.3 million annually in operating expenses.

Give Kids The World Village is located at 210 S. Bass Road in Kissimmee. To learn more about volunteering, visit gktw.org/volunteer. To make a donation, visit gktw.org/donate.