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Celebrating World Wish Day

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Home Stager

Celebrating World Wish Day

 

Today is World Wish Day, celebrating over 40 years of granting the wishes of critically ill children. 

We are all familiar with the Make-A-Wish Foundation and what it does to make dreams come true. 

As they say, it takes a village, and one of those villages is Give Kids the World and the Give Kids the World Village located in Kissimmee, FL, just 16 miles southeast of Disney World.                             

 

The Village is an 89-acre, non-profit resort for children with life-threatening illnesses and their parents. In fulfilling the wishes of children wanting to go to Disney World or some of the other attractions in Orlando, the Make-A-Wish Foundation works through Give Kids the World to provide transportation, housing, and much more. 


                                                                           

Larry and I first discovered Give Kids The World in 2001 when his company volunteered to help restore and refurbish some of the guest villas in the Village. (I'll share more about that another time.)

 

Parents do not have to worry about transportation or meals during their one-week visit. There are activities and events at the Village, and everything imaginable to make this a special time for the children and their parents. 

                (Larry and Me with the late Henry Landwirth, the Founder of GKTW)

Here are just a few of the fun things to do at Give Kids the World:

Henri’s Starlite Scoops- Ice cream, morning, noon, and night!

Amberville- an interactive train station

Twinkle Hope’s Rockin’Spa- where else could you get temporary glitter tattoos?!

Olivia’s Oasis- a spa just for parents and caregivers



Much has changed since our visits to Give Kids the World…it’s grown!  

                                         ("Mayor" Clayton and children)

When considering donations or volunteering, please check out Give Kids the World. 

 

Posted by

Kathy Streib
Retired Home Stager
and Interior Redesign

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Comments(21)

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Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Good morning Kathy,

I wasn't aware today it's World Wish Day! Good to hear you and Larry were active in the Give The Kids the World Village located in Kissimmee, FL. Children with life threatening illnesses and their parents deserve something like this experience offered.

Apr 29, 2025 04:35 AM
Kathy Streib

Dorie Dillard Austin TX not many people are. The work they do is so behind-the-scenes.

Apr 29, 2025 01:41 PM
Kat Palmiotti
eXp Commercial, Referral Divison - Kalispell, MT
Helping your Montana dreams take root

I never heard of the Give the Kids the World Village - thank you for sharing. It sounds like a wonderful place.

Apr 29, 2025 04:39 AM
Kathy Streib

Kat Palmiotti so few people have heard of it. Some Disney "creators" helped in the design in some of the areas. 

Apr 29, 2025 01:42 PM
Wayne Martin
Wayne M Martin - Oswego, IL
Real Estate Broker - Retired

Good morning Kathy. When a managing broker for a large franchise, I was in the board of the charitable foundation. We supported Make-A-Wish foundation and Hole in the Wall Gang. They do amazing work. Enjoy your day.

Apr 29, 2025 04:55 AM
Kathy Streib

Wayne Martin we've supported them as well!  If you get back to FL for a visit, check it out. 

Apr 29, 2025 01:43 PM
Sham Reddy CRS
Howard Hanna RE Services, Dayton, OH - Dayton, OH
CRS

Thanks for sharing this beautiful information Kathy!!!

Apr 29, 2025 05:15 AM
Kathy Streib

Hi Sham Reddy CRS good seeing you today at the Zoom call!!!

Apr 29, 2025 05:08 PM
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

I was not aware of this special day. Thanks for your volunteer work and dedication.

Apr 29, 2025 05:45 AM
Kathy Streib

Roy Kelley Thank YOU! Hello to Chef Dolores. 

Apr 29, 2025 05:08 PM
Jeffrey DiMuria 321.223.6253 Waves Realty
Waves Realty - Melbourne, FL
Florida Space Coast Homes

Watching one of the Make A Wish kids at the NFL draft announce his teams draft pick was AWESOME. Very worthy cause.

Apr 29, 2025 07:11 AM
Kathy Streib

Jeffrey DiMuria 321.223.6253 Waves Realty It IS a worthy cause. All children deserve a chance to grow and thrive. 

Apr 29, 2025 05:10 PM
Ed Silva, 203-206-0754
Mapleridge Realty, CT 203-206-0754 - Waterbury, CT
Associate Real Estate Broker

This is new to me and so close to the theme park capital of the world.  In recent years my charities have been far closer to where we live.

Apr 29, 2025 07:15 AM
Kathy Streib

Ed Silva, 203-206-0754  I'd venture to say that most children -healthy or not- want to go to the theme parks. GKTW helps facilitate this. 

Apr 29, 2025 05:12 PM
Lawrence "Larry" & Sheila Agranoff. Cell: 631-805-4400
The Top Team @ Charles Rutenberg Realty 255 Executive Dr, Plainview NY 11803 - Plainview, NY
Long Island Condo and Home Specialists

Kathy, never heard of this organization before, but it's good to know about and great introduction to it!

Apr 29, 2025 07:56 AM
Kathy Streib

Lawrence "Larry" & Sheila Agranoff. Cell: 631-805-4400 I'd not heard of it until we were in Orlando. Most people know about Make -a-Wish Foundation. 

Apr 29, 2025 05:14 PM
Nick Vandekar, 610-203-4543
Realty ONE Group Advocates 484-237-2055 - Downingtown, PA
Selling the Main Line & Chester County

I had never heard of this village, what a great idea and to put it into reality not just an idea how marvelous. Thanks for sharing.

Apr 29, 2025 07:57 AM
Kathy Streib

Nick Vandekar, 610-203-4543 Larry invited his vendors to a presentation at Give Kids the World to encourage them to donate supplies and their time to help renovate the Villas. Every vendor came up to Larry and said "Whatever you need!!"

Apr 29, 2025 05:16 PM
George Souto
George Souto NMLS #65149 - Middletown, CT
Your Connecticut Mortgage Expert

Kathy one of the Real Estate companies near me has sponsored these events in the past.  Excellent cause.

Apr 29, 2025 09:46 AM
Kathy Streib

George Souto You can't go wrong when you help give to children. 

Apr 29, 2025 05:17 PM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten
Retired Broker/Owner - Phoenix, AZ
602-380-4886

World Wish Day - I had no idea but what a great idea!  I have heard about the Village in FL and of course Make a Wish for Kids. So many kids and their parents need so much support in hard times.....and many people, including us, are more than willing to help out. Makes me smile thinking of some of the kids I know about that have made it through a sickness.  So so sweet......they are precious.

Apr 29, 2025 09:56 AM
Kathy Streib

Anna "Banana" Kruchten  If we have children in our lives who are healthy, we can pay it forward by donating to one of these charities. 

Apr 29, 2025 05:19 PM
Mike McCann Broker - Mach1 Realty
Mike McCann - Broker, Mach1 Realty Broker-Auctioneer Serving Nebraska - Kearney, NE
ALL Types of Property For Sale 308-627-3700

Hi Kathy Streib   When we were first married, we lived in Altamonte Springs, FL.

Kissimmee was in my sales territory for the construction materials I Sold.  Loved the area and all of the lakes...and have not been back for over 35 years...so I am sure it is "slightly" different than when we were last there!!  

Apr 29, 2025 11:21 AM
Mike McCann Broker - Mach1 Realty

I lived from 1986 until mid 1988.  Robyn lived there from 1987 to 1988 and then we moved back to Nebraska due to missing family!

Apr 29, 2025 06:28 PM
Kathy Streib

Hi Mike McCann Broker - Mach1 Realty I didn't know you lived there!! We lived in Altamonte Springs for a few years and went home to Delray Beach on weekends. We were there in 2000. 

Apr 29, 2025 05:21 PM
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

Hi Kathy:

Give Kids the World Village sounds like a wonderful and very special place - I've not heard of it but certainly know about the Make-a-Wish Foundation. I was also not familiar with World Wish Day so thank you for sharing that.

Jeff

Apr 29, 2025 11:53 AM
Kathy Streib

Hi Jeff Dowler, CRS it really is a magical place. I'll have to share the story behind it. 

Apr 29, 2025 05:22 PM
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

Kathy, this is the first I have heard of this foundation.  We have Ronald McDonald House here in Denver.

Apr 29, 2025 12:18 PM
Kathy Streib

HI Joan Cox   I'm thankful for the Ronald McDonald Houses. It has to be stressful for families coping with their child's illness so having a place to stay alleviates some of the stress. 

Apr 29, 2025 05:24 PM
Lew Corcoran
Better Living Real Estate, LLC - East Bridgewater, MA
Expert guidance. Exceptional results.

Thanks for shining a light on World Wish Day, Kathy Streib! 🌟 It’s heartwarming to see how organizations like Make-A-Wish and Give Kids the World bring magic to children and their families. Your commitment to this cause is truly inspiring, and I appreciate you sharing this important message! ❤️✨

Apr 29, 2025 01:49 PM
Kathy Streib

HI Lew Corcoran   If anyone has healthy children in their iives, this is an excellent way to say THANK YOU!

Apr 29, 2025 05:25 PM
John Pusa
Glendale, CA

Hello Kathy Streib we all need to celebrate a very important World Wish Day. Wishing Happy World Wish Day to you and to all.

Apr 29, 2025 02:16 PM
Kathy Streib

HI John Pusa Thank you and hope your day went well. 

Apr 29, 2025 05:25 PM
Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - Wanda Can!
Red Rock Real Estate (435) 632-9374 - St. George, UT
Southern Utah's Preferred Real Estate Agent.

My wish would be that there be no critically ill children in the world but thankfully, there is an organization that can bring joy to their lives, Kathy. Our office sponsored several children last year!

Apr 29, 2025 06:33 PM
Kathy Streib

I would have the same wish Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - Wanda Can! My hope is that all children are born 100% healthy with the same opportunities . 

Apr 30, 2025 05:28 PM
Brian England
Ambrose Realty Management LLC - Gilbert, AZ
MBA, GRI, REALTOR® Real Estate in East Valley AZ

I haven't seen one of the "My Wish" shows on ESPN for a long time, but I always enjoyed watching them.

Apr 30, 2025 04:04 AM
Kathy Streib

Brian England When I think of  any child whose life is shortened for any reason, my heart breaks. 

Apr 30, 2025 05:29 PM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

Wonderful! With all the talk of ending supportive services to children these days, we need more of this!

May 03, 2025 09:04 AM
Dr. Paula McDonald
Beam & Branch Realty - Granbury, TX
Granbury, TX 936-203-0279

I am familiar with the Make-A-Wish Foundation but have never heard of this specific day. How wonderful.

May 06, 2025 05:58 PM