A group of university students traveled this summer to Kissimmee, Fla. for a week of volunteer work with Give Kids the World.
Give Kids the World is a nonprofit organization that created and manages a property in central Florida called The Village. The Village is an 89-acre resort where critically ill children and their families can visit for a seven-day trip. Containing themed attractions, buildings and experiences, The Village purposefully provides critically ill children and their families with a positive and eventful experience.
Brooke Coleman is one of the Wilkes students who participated in the trip and volunteered at the Give Kids the World Village.
“The village has numerous cottages where the families can stay, as well as a big dining hall where the families can go for their meals,” Coleman said. “Apart from housing and dining options, the village had many fun spaces for the kids to play. There was the Amberville arcade, which was filled with fun arcade games and lego walls. Many amusement rides, such as a train ride around the village and a carousel.”
The Wilkes volunteers helped Give Kids the World by working with the families and children who were staying at The Village. Each student carried out individual responsibilities such as attraction operation, nail painting at the kids’ spa and themed evening party management.
Sydney Farmer, Wilkes student, detailed the scheduled shifts and responsibilities maintained by each student.
“Each day on our service trip we served as volunteers at Give Kids the World. Our shifts were broken up throughout the day. Typically we would arrive to volunteer from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and then 5 to 9 p.m. In between we would go back to the house and have some pool time.”
Farmer said the most memorable part of her experience was the children.
Photo courtesy of Brooke Coleman.
“My favorite memory on this trip was the bond made with the kiddos at Give Kids the World,” Farmer said. “We got to volunteer and participate in fun activities such as parties and just to see the smile on the kids and parents faces was so rewarding.”
Although the 2024 Give Kids the World volunteer trip has passed, Coleman and other participating students declared their excitement for the next volunteer trip they will be attending.
“I would strongly advise anyone thinking about volunteering to book the trip. This experience can be very hard emotionally at times, but it is an honor to be with these families during such vulnerable and wonderful moments,” Coleman said. “I am elated to be going back to the village next summer as the student leader alongside Professor (Jennifer) McLaughlin, who made this experience truly wonderful for all of us from start to finish.”