In 1986, Give Kids The World was founded. This Central Florida non-profit organization exists to help fulfill dream wishes. The organization offers children with critical illnesses and their families a weeklong, cost-free vacation. During this week, these wish families get to laugh, play, and create core memories together that are away from hospital visits or medical procedures.
Over the last four decades, Give Kids The World has provided these magical experiences to over 201,000 families from all 50 states in the United States of America and 78 countries around the world. On March 7, 2026, this wonderful organization celebrates Founders Day. Founders Day marks the birthday of Henri Landwirth.
Ahead of the public celebration, a special event was held to begin the celebration. This was celebrated at the Give Kids The World Village, which opened in 1989 by Henri Landwirth, who was a successful hotelier in Florida. On hand were Henri’s son, Gary Landwirth, those who had been impacted by this organization, and others. Daps Magic was on hand to witness this milestone event.
During a ceremony for the anniversary, a former wish child who had stayed at Give Kids The World shared about how her life had been impacted. She also shared about how the stars in the Castle of Miracles honored a kid who had attended a village. For this milestone day, a new star was placed to honor Henri Landwirth. Traditionally, the stars are decorated by the kids and then placed on the ceiling by Stellar the Star Fairy. For this special day, Stellar was offered some help by those in attendance.
The highlight of the day was the premiere of a film that tells Henri’s story and the origins of Give Kids The World. The film is called What Henri Gave The World. It carries on the legacy of a man who was a holocaust surviver who lived the lesson that from the darkest dark can come the brightest light. The film and this organization are both testaments to the power of what can happen when light is shone on dark situations. The result leads to something more hopeful and makes the world a better place, one person and one family at a time.
In the case of Give Kids The World, the one person who changed the world was someone named Amy. Amy had a wish to visit Orlando’s theme parks. A hotelier, Henri Landwirth, was asked if the family could be given a complimentary stay. Henri was more than happy to do this. However, other plans for this trip took too long, and it never came to fruition when Amy passed away.
This experience was a turning point for Henri Landwirth, who vowed that no child in need should ever be failed like this again. Out of this vow came Give Kids The World. Since 1986, this organization has continued with Landwirth’s vision. This organization had humble beginnings but has continued to grow through the years. In 1989, the Give Kids The World Village opened. This was all about providing magical experiences with a vacation that would mean the world for children with critical illnesses and their families. The facility was 31 acres initially when it opened in 1989. Today, it has grown to become an 89-acre resort that has 167 villa accommodations, unique entertainment attractions, whimsical venues, and a variety of fun activities that are accessible for kids of all abilities. There is even Henri’s Starlite Scoops now, where kids can have ice cream for breakfast, lunch, or dinner! It is open from 7:30 AM to 9:30 PM.
Give Kids The World exists through the support of generous people and corporations, along with partnerships with other wish-granting organizations. As the organization continues to look toward the future and how it will help more children and their families, it remains rooted in the foundation of its founder. On Founders Day, this is what was celebrated.
The mission of this organization is a noble one. It is also a difficult one. So often, organizations like these are looked upon positively but not necessarily actively supported. It takes individuals, however, to make these magical vacations happen. Give Kids The World is always looking for a variety of different kinds of supporters. This includes:
- Financial Supporters
- Fundraisers
- Event Attendees
- Volunteers
- School and University Partnerships
- Company & Community Partnerships
If you would like to support Give Kids The World, visit gktw.org/help.
For four decades, Give Kids The World has continued to provide magical escapes for children with critical illnesses and their families. This is a mission that isn’t ending after four decades, but continuing to move forward. This is a mission that will continue to move forward as long as there are sick children in the world. This is a mission that will continue to need support one way or another as long as there are sick children in the world. The staff and volunteers at Give Kids The World continue with the front-line work. The first of us can help with this mission by supporting in any (or multiple) of the ways listed above to make sure that this organization is able to continue to do its good work for the next 40 years and beyond!
More information about Give Kids The World can be found at gktw.org.
Have you heard of Give Kids The World before? Have you attended one of its events? Have you visited its website? Did you know its story? What do you think of this organization? Share your thoughts and opinions in the comments below!
