Give Kids the World Village Announces Extended Closure Due to COVID-19

Hi everyone –

Give Kids the World Village in Kissimmee is closed indefinitely due to COVID-19. I first volunteered with Give Kids the World in the early 2000s and we have worked with them to promote the village as well for years. It is an incredible organization that fulfills wishes for critically ill children and their families and I hope they are able to open safely soon. The official press release is below. Give Kids the World still needs donations as much as ever and that is noted in the release.

 Photo by Denise Preskitt

KISSIMMEE, Fla. (June 9, 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.

As part of the closure, the organization will be forced to lay off 86% of its staff effective Saturday, June 27, 2020. A small team will remain to ensure the safety and security of the Village and to prepare for their eventual re-opening.

Despite their closure, the organization will still be fulfilling their mission to never turn a child away. “While we’re closed, we will still be working with our wish granting partners to fulfill rush wishes,” said Pamela Landwirth, Give Kids The World Village President & CEO in an open letter to their constituents.

“I can promise you that I will work tirelessly to find a way to reopen our beloved Village as soon as possible. The health and well-being of our precious wish children is our number one priority as well as the priority of our theme park and wish granting partners,” said Landwirth.

The organization will need the support of donors and community partners more than ever. If you’d like to donate to help fulfill a rush wish, or to assist with our re-opening funds, you can do so at www.givekidstheworld.org.