Jul 22nd, 2021 [Kissimmee, FL]

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 – an 89-acre, whimsical nonprofit resort that provides critically ill children and their families from around the world with joy-filled, weeklong wish vacations at no cost.

The Serendipity project was made possible by a $1.5 million grant from the Don and Lorraine Freeberg Foundation, a nonprofit that supports organizations focused on education, healthcare, children and veterans. The grant brings the total amount donated to Give Kids The World by the Foundation to $5 million. The ship was designed and built by a remarkable team of caring partners including SteamLabs Design Group, Icarus Exhibits Orlando, Electrosonic AV Design and SNA Displays.

“We cannot begin to thank our wonderful friends at the Don & Lorraine Freeberg Foundation for their gift,” said Give Kids The World President & CEO Pam Landwirth. “Because of their generosity, this amazing pirate ship will bring immeasurable joy to the precious children and families we serve. This is just the latest in a series of incredible gifts that they have given us, helping to create a Village where happiness truly inspires hope.”

Built to withstand the humid subtropical climate of Central Florida, Serendipity was constructed with a 100% aluminum frame and cladding, with a Poly Gem coating to create the look of real wood. Spanning more than 90 feet, the ADA-accessible ship was built off-site during a year-long, labor-intensive process, disassembled, and then delivered to the Village for a two-day installation with the use of a crane. The ship is highlighted by a 16-foot by nine-foot SNA Displays LED screen; fun photo op features, including an animated parrot and an interactive ship’s wheel; and a masthead figure that is the maritime cousin of the seahorses on Give Kids The World’s accessible Enchanted Carousel. Due to the proximity of the Village to Kissimmee Gateway Airport, the 74-foot masts had to be approved by the FAA due to their height.

Located at the Park of Dreams Pool, the state-of-the-art, interactive ship will serve as a stunning centerpiece to the Village’s weekly Once Upon A Village party featuring pirates, mermaids and princesses. The venue will also host special events, feature film screenings, dive-in movies, sports broadcasts, and more.

Rated Four Stars by Charity Navigator for 15 consecutive years, Give Kids The World Village’s mission is to create joy and inspire hope for wish families. When wish-granting organizations receive a request from a critically ill child who wants to visit Central Florida, Give Kids The World fulfills the wish. Each child and his/her family receives an unforgettable weeklong stay at absolutely no cost, including transportation; accommodations in one of the Village’s 166 storybook residential villas; all meals and snacks; nightly entertainment; donated theme park tickets; daily gifts; and priceless interactive experiences at the Village, a spectacular destination of its own – featuring an array of accessible rides, attractions and creative learning experiences. Since 1986, Give Kids The World has welcomed more than 176,000 families from all 50 states and 76 countries.

Give Kids The World Village is located at 210 S. Bass Road in Kissimmee, FL. For more information, visit www.gktw.org or contact CindyE@gktw.org.

About Give Kids the World Village
Give Kids The World Village is an 89-acre, nonprofit resort built exclusively to serve critically-ill children and their families. Children visiting Central Florida on their "wish trips," stay with their families at Give Kids The World's storybook Village for weeklong, dream vacations. Give Kids The World provides meals, transportation, nightly entertainment, and complimentary passes to Orlando's world-famous theme parks and other attractions. There is never any charge to visiting families, and no child is ever turned away. Since 1986, Give Kids The World Village has served more than 193,000 children and families from all 50 states and 77 countries. GKTW is four-star rated by Charity Navigator, with more than 90 cents of every dollar it spends going to program services.

For more information, contact Give Kids The World Village Public Relations manager, Cindy Elliott.