This is my presentation for my service learning hours that were completed at Give Kids the World

1. Amy Bedore
EEX 3241
Fall 2012

2.  Give Kids the World is a non-profit organization that fulfills the wishes of terminally ill
children
 It was founded in 1987 by Henri Landwirth and the first villa at the resort opened in
1989.
 It is located in Kissimmee Florida
 It’s mission according to their website is:
Give Kids The World is a non-profit organization that exists only to fulfill the wishes of
all children with life-threatening illnesses and their families from around the world to
experience a memorable, joyful, cost-free visit to the Central Florida attractions, and
to enjoy the magic of Give Kids The World Village for as long as there is a need.
Over 118,000 children have had their dream come true at Give Kids The World. No
child in need has ever been turned away – and no child ever will. Give Kids The World
is a place where families find joy, laughter, serenity, and a lifetime of memories.
Through the tireless support of our volunteers, employees and generous partners, we
dedicate each and every day to these special families.
 A Video that tells you about the Creator and why it’s important: The Spirit of Hope

3.  For every $1 that gets donated 93 cents go to the families that are being helped by
this organization. That’s right they run this organization on 7 cents per $1. The
organization has been recognized nationally for being fiscally responsible.
 They serve children from the age of 3 up to the age of 18 years old who are granted
wishes by Wish Granting organizations such as Make a Wish.
 Children come from all over the United States, and Internationally from Argentina to
Kuwait and everywhere in between.
 The resort is 70 acres overall and features 140 2 bedroom villas for families to stay in
while they visit the resort.
 Children can have their wish to come to Central Florida within 24 hours if need be and
up to date they have served 118,000 families.
 Children suffer from many different life threatening diseases such as Cancer, heart
defects, etc… Give Kids the World is there to help them get away from the stress and
struggles of handling medical concerns for a week.
 Children also come who have special needs such as mobility issues, learning
disabilities and the 3500 volunteers all help to ensure that they are helped and viewed
as Children first, and not just a medical diagnosis!

4.  Volunteered in many different locations on the resort from working the welcome hut
where I would greet each family as they arrived to the resort to taking children on
rides on the miniature train that runs around one of the buildings on the property.
 I interacted with not only the child but the families that accompany them to tour the
Gallery of Hope that covers the history of the resort, and help families share their
stories.
 Took family photos for the children and their families around the resort on the family’s
camera for lasting memories.

5.  Each Week there are at least 140 families on the resorts
property and over all they have served 118,000 families.
 They range in age from 3-18 years old and speak many
different languages, as they are from many countries.
 They can be children who are only suffering from a life
threatening illness to children who have learning
disabilities, physical disabilities who also are suffering
from a life threatening illness.
 Photos of families and children are not permissible but
the organization has made this PSA video that gives you
an idea about the resort and those who they are serving:
Matthew’s Boundless Playground

6.  .

7.  I fell in LOVE working at Give Kids the World the smiles on the children’s faces that I
worked with when they were told they could ride the train or the carosel even though
they were in a wheelchair or they could have ice cream for breakfast were the
brightest I think the families had seen in probably months or even years.
 What I fell in love with most was the hope and the energy these children and families
had being at the Resort. They loved that while there no one looked at them as the
“kid with cancer” they could just be kids.
 At first I was nervous about what it would be like to work with kids who may or may
not make it much longer, who are dealing with life-threatening illnesses. I was also
nervous about how to communicate or work with the children if they had other
disabilities other then just being sick.
 This was not a traditional setting for service learning but I learned so much from this
that I can use in the classroom and in my career. I learned how to put the person first
and the disability or illness second. Treat them like every other child and just make
sure to accommodate their needs medically as necessary.
 I think the thing that I will take away from this most is that all children have the ability
to do something regardless of their disability or illness they just need to be given the
hope, support and care needed to do it.

8.  I would volunteer as required for different college courses or for work when required
but I fell in love with this organization and its activities that I have continued over the
15 hours and will continue to help when possible.
 Everyone needs someone to help at some point but there are those who have
disabilities or who are sick or elderly who just need a little more help and volunteering
to help those who need it like those groups teaches you something new everyday.
 Volunteering is a great way to learn about teaching and those you might teach in the
future and I think all teacher candidates need to use it as a tool to enrich their
experience as a teacher and help their future students.

9.  Teachers will encounter students who regardless of what learning disability, physical
disability etc… may become ill with a life-threatening illness by volunteering at Give
Kids the World it has given me the chance to see how happy and at ease children are
when the people around them treat them as children and not an illness.
 Others will benefit by volunteering the same way and to get them to volunteer I would
talk about my experiences and ask them to join me for shifts there.
 Teachers need to realize that students will be in their classrooms and will get sick and
understanding what they are going through, and how to interact with them will help
their other students learn to cope with the diagnosis of their friend and how to interact
with their friend as well.
 It was the most rewarding experience I’ve had so far volunteering and I don’t plan on
stopping!