give kids the world, charitable giving

The Walt Disney Company provides charitable giving to all major wish-giving organizations, including Give Kids the World, and does its best to fulfill each wish requested.

Give Kids the World

Give Kids The World is a 51-acre, non-profit resort for children with life-threatening illnesses whose one wish is to visit central Florida's best-loved attractions. Through charitable giving and donations of trips to Disney theme parks, The Walt Disney Company helps Give Kids The World grant wishes to terminally ill children. Give Kids The World Founder and President Henri Landwirth says the Village would not exist without the dedication of the "Angel" volunteers. "They are the pulse and the heart of Give Kids The World and have been an integral part of the Village since its inception in 1986," Landwirth says. Volunteers are everywhere at Give Kids The World, performing many essential tasks, both interacting with the guests and behind the scenes. In addition to the many services performed at the Village, many individuals give time and efforts through other channels.

Disney supports Give Kids The World by creating opportunities to fulfill the wishes of children facing life-threatening illnesses. The number one wish of all children with life-threatening illnesses is a trip to a Disney theme park, and in 2001, the company donated more than 7,000 trips to Disney theme parks, nearly 300 Disney Cruise packages and nearly 85,000 complimentary park tickets. The Walt Disney Company's Compassion program helps thousands of children every year, and Give Kids the World is just one way organization the company helps. Read more about the Walt Disney Company�s charitable giving through its Compassion program.

Two primary compassion programs that DisneyHand supports are the medical compassion program and the Company�s relief efforts in the wake of September 11. The medical compassion program creates opportunities to fulfill the wishes of children stricken with life-threatening illnesses, support those with life-threatening medical conditions and assist those who have suffered from natural disasters. The Walt Disney Company and Disney employees work with major wish-giving organizations, such as the Make-A-Wish Foundation, Dreams Come True, A Special Wish, Starlight Foundation and Give Kids the World.

DisneyHAND is the worldwide philanthropic arm of the Walt Disney Company. DisneyHAND's programs are dedicated to making the dreams of families and children a reality through focused public service initiative, community outreach and volunteerism. DisneyHAND also supports programs that foster learning and help the environment.