If you go to Orlando Area

[southgadawg 52]

I know that people frequently vacation in the Orlando area. Generally it is a time spent with family and friends and having a great time. That is all well and good however I have an ideal for you if you go their and looking for something more. A few years ago before my own health got bad I spent four hours volunteering at the Give Kids the World facility.

http://www.gktw.org/

 

It was a rewarding time for me (and some others I was with) but also admittedly it was full of some raw emotion. From being a parent (I have five children of my own) and someone who feels the calling to help others in need when I am able it was one of the best four hours I have ever spent in the service of others. For those who don't know the organization helps terminally ill children and their whole families cope with their issues. It also tries to bring a sense of normalcy and fun to their lives (without a doubt the caregivers and siblings need this too). GKTW has Christmas every week (guests and their families can stay a full seven days). There are nice cottages with playgrounds for the families as well.

 

There was a movie that came out a few years ago that showed some of GKTW toward the end of the movie. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Letters_to_God This movie wasn't overly well accepted by most of the secular world mainly because of the Christian themes. If you are one who would be inclined to tune that part out there is still a very human story in the movie.

 

Check out the GKTW website and perhaps you may even know someone in your area that has visited this wonderful organization. Believe me if you can volunteer it will be worth your time.

[southgadawg 52]

One of the best video links tell more about GKTW organization is:

 

http://www.gktw.org/news/video.php?vid=pam

 

I actually have had the honor of meeting and eating lunch with Pam Landwirth. Both of us are UGA alumni but without a doubt she has made much more an impact on the world than I have.