Give Kids the World Village, a non-profit housing children with terminal illnesses during trips to Walt Disney World will be closed indefinitely.
The coronavirus pandemic has cast a dark shadow on the wish community; Make-A-Wish will also not be granting any travel-related wishes for the foreseeable future.
The president of Give Kids The World releases this statement:
Dear Village Family,
It is with a heavy heart that I must share some devastating news both for me personally and for our entire Village family.
Unforeseen circumstances directly related to COVID-19 have resulted in Give Kids The World having to remain closed. The Make-A-Wish Foundation, our majority wish-granting partner, unexpectedly notified us that due to COVID-19, it would not be scheduling any wishes that involve travel or large groups, until a vaccine is in wide use. In addition, although the theme parks are reopening, we are uncertain as to when they will be able to welcome vulnerable guests, including our wish children.
The Village, therefore, will remain closed for an undetermined period of time. Unfortunately, this means we must lay off the majority of our staff effective Saturday, June 27, 2020. A small team will remain to ensure the safety and security of the Village and to nurture our relationships with you – our alumni families, volunteers, wish granting organizations, donors and other partners as well as prepare for our eventual reopening. If there is a rush wish prior to our reopening, we will work with our wish granting partners to fulfill that wish.
I can promise you that I will work tirelessly to find a way to reopen our beloved Village as soon as possible.
With love,
Pamela Landwirth
Give Kids The World President & CEO
In the note, Landwirth announced layoffs for the majority of the employees which will be effective June 27th.
Heartbreaking. My cousin’s grandson and some of his family stayed there courtesy of Make-a-Wish a couple of years ago (he is in treatment for cancer).