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"We
grant the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength,
and joy."
Since 1980, the Make-A-Wish Foundation® has enriched the lives of children with
life-threatening medical conditions through its wish-granting work. The Foundation's mission reflects the life-changing impact
that a Make-A-Wish® experience has on children,
families, referral sources, donors, sponsors, and entire communities.
The Make-A-Wish Foundation was founded in 1980 after a little boy named Chris
Greicius realized his heartfelt wish to become a police officer. Since its humble beginnings, the
organization has blossomed into a worldwide phenomenon, reaching more than 97,000 children worldwide.
Although it has become one of the world's most well-known charities, the Make-A-Wish
Foundation has maintained the grassroots fulfillment of its mission.
A network of more than 25,000 volunteers enable the Make-A-Wish
Foundation to serve children with life-threatening medical conditions. Volunteers serve as wish granters, fund raisers, special
events assistants, and in numerous other capacities.
As the Foundation continues to mature, its mission will remain
steadfast. Wish children of the past, present, and future will have an opportunity to share the power of a wish®.
The dream of one child
to meet Mickey Mouse motivated Henri Landwirth to ensure that no child would be refused this wish.
Henri Landwirth,
still active today in the Central
Florida hotel industry, had offered accommodations
to a young girl suffering from leukemia and her family at his establishment. However, he was deeply saddened to learn that
time had proved the enemy in the race to finalize a multitude of arrangements for the trip. The girl died without experiencing
her wish. Landwirth immediately called upon colleagues
in the hospitality industry, including the world famous theme parks, to assist him with a project to bring families to Central
Florida with less than 24 hours notice, if the situation called for such action.
Before long, Henri and two staff members began arranging wish vacations out of a converted store room in one of his hotels.
He named this fledgling organization after its mission, "Give Kids The World,"
because that is what he intended to do.
Soon major corporations
comitted to providing many of the services families would require for their stay, but the number
of requests was quickly outgrowing the lodging that the local hotel industry could provide. In addition, the hotels at the
time were not equipped to deal with the unique needs of families with ill children.
Henri called upon friends from the early days of his career as
a hotel manager in Cocoa Beach
and Give Kids The World Village opened its gates to welcome its first families in early 1989. His friends answered his call
and his vision soon became a reality.
Today, the Village features
96-villas, a whimsical restaurant, magical play area, an ice cream palace, a movie theatre, an interactive waterpark,
a fishing pond and even a peaceful chapel. Each year, the Village welcomes families from communities in all 50 states and
from more than 47 countries.
From the very first family
who visited in 1986 to the families that are arriving at the gates of the Village today, thousand of families a year have
enjoyed a few precious days away from hospitals, doctor visits and medical treatments. They thrive in an environment filled
with laughter, joy and hugs. And
it all began because one little girl's dream touched the heart of a man who cared.
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