Every wish begins with a dream. And every dream has the potential of coming true.

Erin Garcia, of LaVergne, TN had one wish: to go to Disney without the stares and watchful eyes of curious strangers. Nine year old Erin has pulmonary hypertension and has to wear an oxygen mask 22 to 23 hours a day, eliciting the constant stares and whispers everywhere she goes. Bob Parks Realty partnered with the Make A Wish Foundation and sent Erin, A Make A Wish Ambassador during the Season of Wishes, to a magical place specifically designed for children just like Erin, “where there aren't any stares from people and everyone is accepted for who they are.” They stayed in the “Give Kids the World Village.”

In Kissimmee, Florida a very special man has spent his life working towards providing wish fulfillment for children that might not live long enough to see their wishes, their dreams, come true. Henri Landwirth, born in Belgium in 1927, managed to survive WWII and the Nazi death camps with his twin sister. Making their way across the ocean, arriving in America with $20 in his pocket and a dream Henri joined the Army, used his GI benefits to attend school for Hotel Management and launched himself an incredibly successful career from which he retired in 1986. A mere three years later, in 1989, the gates to “Give Kids the World Village” opened.

“Give Kids the World” was founded by Henri Landwirth in order to give children, just like Erin Garcia the opportunity to live out their wishes before the opportunity was taken from them. Working with the Make A Wish foundation, the “Give Kids the World Village” is located in Kissimmee, FL right around the corner from Disney. This very special place allows children with degenerative or malignant diseases to enjoy the magic and wonder of Disney without having to be subjected to the stares, the worries, or the stresses that might otherwise overwhelm the experience. Over 112,000 families have stayed in this 70 acre resort.

“For a glorious five days, we had not a care beyond what we would do to enjoy our time together.” Austin’s family, Ohio

The Make A Wish Foundation hosts the Season of Wishes in order to stimulate individuals and corporations in this season of giving to remember those that might not have many holidays left. A child’s wish might cost upwards of $7,000 each, but every single contribution gives another child, just like Erin Garcia, the opportunity to realize their dream, and forget for a few days the pain and trauma and feel, for a moment, just like any other child.

Posted by:  Jennifer McClarney

If you can read this, you don't use a typical webbrowser that plays nice with CSS.
Please do not fill in anything here!

Leave a Reply