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Introducing Beth Whitmire
Front Row (left to right) Krysti Griffith and Jenny Lister
Back Row (left to right Monica Tornillo, Melissa Bouton, Massiel Aristy, Beth Whitmire
Not Photographed: Assereth Peachee, Janice Proie and Gabriel Vall.
Dear Angels,
As I write my first letter as Director of Volunteer Services, I feel blessed to be a part of a family of staff and volunteers who work tirelessly on a daily basis to bring joy into the lives of our Wish children. Recognizing hours in a day are limited, and time is a precious non-renewable resource, I thank each of you for giving so generously of your time.
I have been privileged to spend the majority of my professional career working with non-profit organizations developing volunteer and membership programs. My passion for working with volunteers began in 1994 when I directed thousands of volunteers during the FIFA World Cup matches at the Orlando Citrus Bowl. Through the years, I worked volunteer and event management with special events. I also served as Director of Membership & Volunteer Services for Florida 2012, the organization that represented Central Florida’s regional bid to become the United States Candidate City for the 2012 Olympic Games.
Here at Give Kids The World, our volunteer program is growing daily, gaining momentum and thriving, enabling us to take on new challenges and set new goals. Going forward, we will continue to identify new volunteer opportunities, define volunteer roles and expand our Staff. We are also looking at our current recruitment efforts and developing new ways to increase retention of our important, dedicated Angels.
Since I began at the Village just over six weeks ago, I have seen how so many of our Angels repeat their volunteer assignment week after week. If you have been in the same position for an extended period, I encourage you to try a new volunteer assignment and broaden your impact on the families who stay with us.
Please mark your calendar and join us for our Open House on Friday, September 5, 2008, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. I invite you to extend this invitation to a friend or neighbor who you think may be interested in learning more about our volunteer opportunities and our special Village.
Serving as Director of Volunteer Services for Give Kids The World is an honor and privilege. I look forward to meeting each of you and being of service to you. I know I speak for the entire Volunteer Services team when I tell you our doors are flung open wide - we encourage your comments, concerns and suggestions for improving our Angel program!
Thank you Angels for all of the energy you put forth and your dedication.
Warmest Regards,
Beth Whitmire
BethW@gktw.org
Matthew’s Boundless Playground Unveiled
90 volunteers from the Fellowship of the Woodlands from Houston, Texas
helped us open Matthew's Boundless Playground.
On July 14, 2008, Give Kids The World (GKTW) welcomed Wish families, special friends and volunteers to the Fairy Tale Forest for the grand opening of the Village’s newest playland, Matthew’s Boundless Playground.
Matthew’s Boundless Playground is the world’s first and only life-sized CANDY LAND game. Children are invited to travel along the Gumdrop Trail through the Lollipop Forest to King Kandy’s Kastle, amidst a world of color, seven-foot tall lollipops and a playground that is fully accessible for children of all abilities.
A generous gift from Hasbro, the beautiful Playground is named for Matthew McGowan, a former GKTW Wish child. Matthew and his family became close to GKTW president Pam Landwirth. Matthew was even with Pam when Hasbro created the first GKTW version of the CANDY LAND board game came off of the Hasbro production line. Sadly, Matthew lost his brave battle with his illness.
When GKTW and Hasbro began to plan the addition of a unique Playground with a CANDY LAND theme, everyone agreed that it would be named in Matthew’s honor. Matthew’s parents, his sister Miranda, his grandparents and several aunts, uncles and cousins all joined the Village for the memorable and touching grand opening.
The day would not have been complete without the dedication and support of the many GKTW volunteer Angels who helped make the grand opening of Matthew’s Boundless Playground a success.
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Fountains for Foundations
This summer, when you visit your favorite regional amusement park – you may have the chance to help Give Kids The World (GKTW). Thirteen Six Flags amusement parks nationwide supported the new “Fountains for Foundations” fundraiser. Colorful signs throughout each park encourage guests to toss their loose change into the park’s fountain. All monies collected will be donated directly to GKTW.
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Volunteer Recognition
Disney VoluntEARs
On June 11, 2008, Walt Disney World hosted a special Recognition Breakfast to commemorate "25 Magical Years of Disney VoluntEARS" and to honor over 550 VoluntEAR attendees. Give Kids The World volunteers Kelly Ann Antalek, Fred Drew and Cheryl Welcomer were nominees for VoluntEAR of the Year, along with the WDW Information Technology Team, which was nominated for VoluntEAR Team of the Year – all for their work with GKTW.
Special Guest Speaker, Meg Crofton, president, Walt Disney World Resort spoke to the attendees and then, along with Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse, awarded the 2008 VoluntEAR of the Year and VoluntEAR Team of the Year.
GKTW Angel and Disney VoluntEAR Fred Drew was honored with the special "2008 Judges' Choice Award" for his tireless and dedicated volunteer efforts not only to GKTW, but also to A Relay For Life and Toys For Tots. Fred had chosen GKTW as his Charity of Choice, and the Village was given a generous $1,000.00 donation from WDW in his honor.
Neal McCord, GKTW General Manager, presents
a GKTW quilt to Fred and Amy Drew.
GKTW further surprised Fred a week later during the Village's monthly Staff Meeting to thank him for his more than 13 years of dedication to GKTW Village and our families. Fred's wife, Amy, joined the Staff as Fred was presented with a beautiful, hand-stitched quilt featuring GKTW art and a variety of Disney VoluntEARS images. Thank you, Fred!
A special Thank You also goes out to Walt Disney World and all of the generous Cast Members who have donated their time, talents and hearts to GKTW. Each year, Cast Members and Imagineers may apply for the WDW EARS To You Grant, which donates $1,000 to the charity of their choice if they worked at least 100 hours of volunteer service at a single organization in the calendar year. This year, GKTW has received more then $25,000 from this wonderful grant program for the efforts of the hard-working and dedicated WDW VoluntEARS who give their hearts to GKTW each and every day.
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Angel Updates
Volunteer Services extends a heartfelt thank you and good luck to a very special Angel. Kyle Moore spent the summer volunteering at the Village, completing over 200 hours of volunteer service at GKTW in just two months!
On July 5, Kyle officially clocked out from his final volunteer shift at GKTW, ready to begin his new adventure. Kyle enlisted in the United States Air Force last year and left for boot camp to begin his new career in San Antonio, Texas. All of us at GKTW are proud of this dedicated Angel. We wish him well and look forward to welcoming Kyle back the next time he is in Orlando!
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Volunteer Orientation Sessions
Becoming a Give Kids The World Angel is simple – all you need to do is attend one of our Volunteer Orientation sessions. This important session provides an overview of the Give Kids The World mission and core values, as well as information about the various jobs and experiences that volunteers can participate in. Attending a session is all you have to do before you can jump right in!
Encourage your co-workers, friends and family to join you at one of our Volunteer Orientation sessions. Together you can become Angels who will make a difference in the lives of our families. If you or someone you know is interested, please call Volunteer Services at 407-396-0770. We look forward sharing our special Village with more Angel volunteers.
Volunteer Orientation Sessions:
Saturday, August 9 – 2:00-5:00 PM
Sunday, August 17 – 2:00-5:00 PM
Wednesday, August 27 – 3:00-6:00 PM
Saturday, September 6 – 2:00-5:00 PM
Sunday, September 14 – 2:00-5:00 PM
Wednesday, September 24 – 3:00-6:00 PM
Upcoming Training Dates
Upcoming Digital Camera & Media Center Training
Saturday, August 2 -- 1:00-2:00 PM
Wednesday, August 13 -- 1:00-2:00 PM
Saturday, August 16 -- 1:00-2:00 PM
Wednesday, August 27 -- 1:00-2:00 PM
Saturday, September 6 -- 1:00-2:00 PM
Wednesday, September 10 -- 1:00-2:00 PM
Saturday, September 20 -- 1:00-2:00 PM
Wednesday, September 24 -- 1:00-2:00 PM
Character Training Dates:
Thursday, August 7 from 1:00-5:00 PM
Sunday, August 10 from 1:00-5:00 PM
Thursday, August 21 from 1:00-5:00 PM
Sunday, August 24 from 1:00-5:00 PM
Calling All Theme Park Enthusiasts!
Do you enjoy visiting the Central Florida theme parks? Do you like to tell your visiting friends and family what each park has to offer? If this sounds like you – we invite you to become a GKTW Park Pointer. You can help our families get the most out of their once-in-a-lifetime vacation by providing them with important information about each of the parks. Many of our families are first time visitors to Central Florida and do not know all that each park has to offer. By becoming a GKTW Park Pointer, you will provide guidance and insight by answering many common questions.
The Park Pointer booth is located inside the Gingerbread House Restaurant and provides daily service from 8:00-10:00 AM and again between 6:00-8:00 PM. If you or someone you know is interested in becoming one of our important Park Pointer Angels, please consider attending one of our upcoming informational sessions.
For your convenience, two sessions will be offered in September: Saturday, September 13, from 1:30-3:00 PM in the Gingerbread House, and Tuesday, September 16, from 6:00-7:30 PM in the House of Hearts. Please R.S.V.P. to Volunteer Services at (407) 396-0770 or at Janicep@gktw.org. Thank you!
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Letter from a GKTW Family
“We are writing in hopes of somehow putting into words what our time spent at your Village has meant to our family. It was best week of happy memories our family could ask for. Words really cannot express how special your Village is and the dedication of the staff, thousands of volunteers, and corporate sponsors. I know that all of the heartaches, fears, and disappointments we have been through are those shared with every other family you help. Just being able to let go of the daily stress, medical talk, doctors and daily concerns you have for your child for that week and only concentrate on having fun for the week was the very best medicine in the world.”
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Did You Know?
 
This summer eating out can also mean helping the families of GKTW.
From July 2 to August 6, six Florida Texas Roadhouse restaurant locations in Orlando, Melbourne and Gainesville will sell limited-edition Mayor Clayton pin-ups available for purchase for either a $1 or $5 donation. With each purchase, you can write your name on your pin-up and hang it on a wall in the restaurant – and help our special families!
Perkins Restaurant & Bakery will also kick-off a nationwide campaign selling Gingerbread Man pin-up’s. Beginning August 1, Perkins customers will have the opportunity to purchase their Gingerbread Man pin-up for either $1 or $5. All proceeds collected from this fundraiser will support of our on-site Gingerbread House Restaurant, which has served more than three million meals to visiting families since opening in 1990.
Congratulations!
Please join us in congratulating Assereth Peachee who was recently promoted to Associate Manager of Volunteer Services! Assereth will be overseeing daily operations of Volunteer Services. Way to go Assereth!
NASCAR and GKTW
 
Congratulations to former Wish Child, Emily Marsala, for winning the Give Kids The World and NASCAR Nationwide series Old Spice car design contest! Fourteen-year-old Emily created a one-of-a-kind and GKTW inspired design that will be featured on driver Tony Stewart’s Old Spice car as he races it in the Saturday, August 16 race in Michigan. [ Learn More ]
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Volunteer Services Welcomes You to Our Open House
Give Kids The World is hosting a Volunteer Recruitment and Open House event on Friday, September 5, in the Caring Center - and you are invited!
Angels are encouraged to stop in and meet new staff members, learn about upcoming volunteer opportunities, as well as hear more about future volunteer plans. We encourage you to invite your friends and neighbors to learn more about becoming a GKTW Angel.
If you are already an Angel, and have not been able to visit in some time, the Open House is the perfect time to reconnect! Volunteer Services staff will be available between 10:00 AM and 4:00 PM to discuss volunteer opportunities, answer questions, register volunteers for general orientation, and process all required paperwork.
As we prepare for the upcoming Fall season and the continued Village growth, our need for Volunteers continues to grow in all areas - Guest Services, event support, volunteer administration, carousel operations, Ice Cream Palace assignments, meal service and more. Refreshments will be served so be sure to stop by for a visit.
For more information please call Volunteer Services at (407) 397-0770 or e-mail volunteer@gktw.org. We look forward to seeing you there!
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Keep up with all of our News
Enjoy receiving the Angel Advisor? Think your friends and family would like to receive it as well? Tell them to sign up for our e-newsletters. The quarterly Angel Advisor and Miracles & Memories newsletters, along with our various e-news alerts are great ways to stay up on all that is new at Give Kids The World. To sign up to receive our newsletters, anyone can visit www.gktw.org/join. Share our web address today!
Angel volunteers Sandra and Linda scoop some love in the Ice Cream Place!
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