PRESS RELEASES
For additional information on Village news please contact Cindy Elliott at CindyE@gktw.org.
Govee Collaborates with GKTW to Bring Light Fun for World Children's Day
Jun 1st, 2023
Govee, an innovator in the smart home industry, has announced a collaboration with Give Kids The World Village to provide a range of smart lighting products to decorate the resort’s entertainment venues in celebration of World Children's Day on November 20, 2023. [more]
GKTW Debuts Relaxation Spa For Wish Parents, Adult Family Members and Caregivers
Mar 21st, 2023
Underscoring its commitment to create magical experiences and unforgettable memories for every member of the family, Give Kids The World Villag has announced the opening of Olivia’s Oasis – a relaxation spa dedicated exclusively to wish parents, adult family members and caregivers [more]
Give Kids The World Village Launches Second Annual Night of a Million Lights Holiday Lights Spectacular
Oct 27th, 2021
Scheduled to illuminate the Central Florida skyline from Friday, November 12, 2021 through Sunday, January 2, 2022, Night of a Million Lights will once again provide the public with a rare glimpse inside Give Kids The World Village. [more]
A Tale of Two Families: Night of a Million Lights Marks a Magical Homecoming For Wish Families on a Collision Course with Love
Oct 27th, 2021
Night of a Million Lights is much more than Central Florida’s brightest new holiday tradition. For two Michigan wish families, the event marks the culmination of a remarkable love story 24 years in the making – proof positive of the magic that happens every day at the Village. [more]
Creative Partnership Drives New Jurassic Junction Train Experience at Give Kids The World Village
Aug 30th, 2021
A team of the world’s leading themed entertainment specialists have joined forces to transform the JJ’s Express train attraction at Give Kids The World Village into an immersive and engaging Jurassic-themed experience. [more]
Give Kids The World Village Adds New Serendipity Pirate Ship Attraction To its Array of Accessible Venues
Jul 22nd, 2021
Give Kids The World Village just became even more magical with the addition of its new Serendipity themed pirate ship stage. Joining snoring trees, an enchanting castle and the world’s largest game of Candy Land, Serendipity is one of many ADA-accessible storybook attractions that help spread happiness and hope at the Village. [more]
Give Kids The World Village Dedicates Merlin’s Magic Space In Memory of “Jersey Jaxson” Butkus
Jun 21st, 2021
Six-year-old Jaxson Butkus brought joy into the lives of everyone he met during his short life. And now, the venue named in his memory will continue to spread happiness and spark the imagination of wish children and their families from around the world. In honor of Jaxson, the new Merlin’s Magic Space at Give Kids The World Village has been renamed Jersey Jaxson’s Playroom, a nod to Jaxson’s home state of New Jersey and his love for LEGO®. [more]
Young Leaders Named to National Give Kids The World Youth Council
Jun 15th, 2021
Give Kids The World (GKTW) has announced the appointment of five young community leaders to its newly-established national Youth Council. Alyssa Pietruszka (Hartland, WI), Robert Flaschner (Jackson Hole, WY), Ryan Elliott (Seal Beach, CA), Grace Callwood (Harford County, MD) and Elizabeth Charney (Chapel Hill, NC) were selected based on their leadership experience and passion for philanthropy. [more]
Coasting for Kids: Give Kids The World Announces Amusement Park Event for 2021 Season
Jun 11th, 2021
Give Kids The World Village is partnering with seven of the nation’s top theme and amusement parks this summer to stage Coasting for Kids – a fundraising program that enables participants to experience the thrill and excitement of their favorite local attractions while giving back to charity. [more]
Broadway Stars and Immersive Experience Highlight Give Kids The World Village’s Black & White Gala
Jun 10th, 2021
Cast members from the Broadway production of Hamilton and other shows will perform during Give Kids The World Village’s (GKTW) annual Black & White Gala, scheduled to be held on Saturday, September 18, 2021. [more]
Give Kids The World Village Debuts Space-Themed Accessible Ice Cream Parlor For Critically Ill Children and Their Families
Mar 8th, 2021
When Give Kids The World hosted the March 7 grand opening of its space-themed accessible ice cream parlor, Henri’s Starlite Scoops, it marked another remarkable milestone in the charity’s storied history. [more]
Give Kids The World Village for Critically Ill Children Reopens to Wish Families Today, Jan. 17, Following 10-Month Closure
Jan 17th, 2021
Nearly 10 months to the day that it closed temporarily due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Give Kids The World Village in Kissimmee has reopened its whimsical gates! [more]
Give Kids The World Village to Host Night of a Million Lights Holiday Spectacular
Oct 23rd, 2020
For 53 nights from Friday, November 13, through Sunday, January 3, 2021, the Village will come alive with Night of a Million Lights, a walk-through holiday light spectacular that is sure to warm the hearts of Central Florida residents. [more]
A Boy, A Wish and A Miracle: Walt Disney World Resort, Give Kids The World Village Deliver Holiday Magic
Oct 23rd, 2020
Debuting November 13 through January 3 at the whimsical non-profit resort that provides weeklong, cost-free wish vacations to critically ill children and their families, the event is much more than an imaginative pivot for the non-profit, which was forced to close to wish families temporarily in March due to the COVID-19 pandemic. For one 15-year-old teen, it’s a magical homecoming. [more]
Give Kids The World Announces Virtual Fun Run
Jul 8th, 2020
Registrations are now open for Give Kids The World Village’s fourth annual Challenge for Hope fun run. This year’s event will be entirely virtual. For the past three years the Central Florida-based nonprofit, whose missions is to fulfill wishes of critically ill children and their families, had hosted more than 1,000 participants at their 84-acre resort for the event resulting in nearly $400,000 raised. [more]
Give Kids The World Announces Extended Closure Due to Covid-19
Jun 9th, 2020
Give Kids The World Village, the Central Florida-based nonprofit that fulfills wishes for critically ill children and their families, will be closed for an undetermined period of time due to unforeseen circumstances directly related to COVID-19. [more]
Disney Princess Voice Actresses Hosting Zoom Call To Benefit Give Kids The World Village
May 6th, 2020
Join Disney Royalty to celebrate friendship and positivity while we are all staying safe at home. The actresses are hosting a virtual Q&A via Zoom. For a $20 donation to Give Kids The World, you can join the magic from the comfort of your castle. [more]
Give Kids The World Brings Village Experience To Children Waiting For Wishes
May 1st, 2020
For every month the Village is closed due to COVID-19, more than 700 critically ill children wait for their wishes to be fulfilled. This livestream event will bring the magic of the Village to children waiting for their wishes, and help keep hope alive. [more]
A Chance To Win A Space 220 Experience At Epcot®
Dec 19th, 2019
The package for two includes roundtrip airfare to Orlando, lodging for two nights at a Walt Disney World® Resort, 2-day Theme Park Tickets with Park Hopper® option and dinner for two at Space 220 at Epcot®. Chances to win start at as little as $10. [more]
Amusement Parks Across The Country Raise Over $130,000 For Wish Kids
Sep 11th, 2019
Give Kids The World Village, the Kissimmee-based nonprofit resort that fulfills wish vacations for critically ill children and their families, is receiving over $130,000 from amusement parks across the country thanks to a season-long Coasting for Kids fundraising program. [more]
New Ice Cream Parlor Coming to Give Kids The World Village
Aug 8th, 2019
Give Kids The World Village, the Kissimmee-based nonprofit that fulfills wish vacations for critically ill children and their families, is building a $2 million ice cream parlor slated to open in late 2019, called Henri’s Starlite Scoops. [more]
Give Kids The World Serves Over 5 Million Scoops and Smiles to Visiting Wish Families
Mar 31st, 2019
Today, wish families, volunteers, and staff said farewell to the Ice Cream Palace and celebrated the coming of a new ice cream parlor: Henri's Starlite Scoops. [more]
25 Volunteers Receive Presidential Award for Service to Give Kids The World
Feb 28th, 2019
Give Kids The World Village announced this week that 25 of its volunteers will receive the prestigious President's Volunteer Service Award for their work supporting the Village and the children it serves. [more]
Give Kids The World Village Unveils New Swing Attraction
Feb 14th, 2019
Give Kids The World Village, the Kissimmee-based, nonprofit resort for critically ill children and their families, unveiled its newest attraction Thursday: a wheelchair-accessible swing ride that seats nine. [more]
Andy Grammer Brings Joy to Kids at Give Kids The World Village
Dec 17th, 2018
International superstar Andy Grammer spends a morning bringing smiles to critically ill children at Give Kids The World Village (GKTW) in Kissimmee, Fla. [more]
ALEX AND ANI Releases New Holiday Bracelet Benefiting Give Kids The World Village
Oct 22nd, 2018
Global jewelry brand ALEX AND ANI is releasing a new Christmas-themed bangle to benefit Give Kids The World Village, the Central Florida nonprofit that provides free dream vacations to critically ill children and their families. [more]
