Give Kids The World Gala Celebrates the Power of Yes

May 13th, 2026 [Kissimmee, FL]

Give Kids The World raised $1.1 million Saturday, May 9 during its gala celebrating 40 years of service, held at the Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World^® Resort. The meaningful event, presented by Innovative Construction, Inc., brought community partners and national supporters together to help the more than 7,000 children with critical illnesses and their families who each year experience a wish vacation at Give Kids The World Village.

This year's gala theme was "The Power of Yes" - both honoring and celebrating Give Kids The World's founder Henri Landwirth and his decision 40 years ago to say yes to a child with cancer. That simple action inspired him to launch Give Kids The World and provide wish vacations to other children like her. Since 1986, the nonprofit organization has served more than 205,000 families from all 50 states and 77 countries.

Throughout the inspiring night, Gala emcee, Jana from iHeart Media Orlando, was joined onstage by Give Kids The World Village Alumni wish children and families who shared their personal stories about the impact the Village had on their lives. Special guest and lifelong friend of Landwirth, Alan Ginsburg, also addressed attendees.

"Give Kids The World gave us an incredible gift," shared Jill McConnell, an Alumni mom whose family stayed at the Village for her son Marc's wish. "We got special time together and my son experienced joy and kindness. That week, the staff, volunteers and anyone who has ever supported Give Kids The World became part of our forever family."

Attendees had the opportunity to view the new eight-minute feature, "What Henri Gave the World." The short film shares Landwirth's personal story as a young Holocaust survivor who immigrated to the United States and went on to build a successful career in the hospitality industry, before founding Give Kids The World.

"All year we have been honoring the 40th anniversary of Give Kids The World and celebrating Henri's lasting legacy of kindness," shared Caroline Schumacher, CEO of Give Kids The World. "Tonight, in this room, we are saying 'yes' to children who are on a journey we can only imagine, we are saying 'yes' to giving them the chance to experience joy, and we are saying 'yes' to serving all the ice cream they can eat for another 40 years."

"Thank you for sharing your heart and support," Schumacher concluded. "Our goal is to be here for as long as children have a wish. 40 years ago, Henri Landwirth said Give Kids The World would never turn away a child in need. Your generosity tonight helps ensure we can continue to fulfill that promise."

The Give Kids The World Gala was made possible with the support of many generous partners and an all-volunteer Gala Committee. Give Kids The World is grateful to this year's Gala sponsors: Innovative Construction Inc., Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World, Hello! Destination Management, Hasbro, Regions Bank, Fisher & Phillips LLP, Central Florida Foundation, Seravalli Family Foundations, Walt Disney World Resort, Merrill Lynch, and Bank United.

To learn more about Give Kids The World, visit GKTW.org.

About Give Kids the World Village
Give Kids The World Village is an 89 -acre, nonprofit resort built exclusively to serve children with critical illnesses and their families. Children visiting Central Florida on their "wish trips," stay with their families at Give Kids The World's storybook Village for weeklong, dream vacations. Give Kids The World provides meals, transportation, nightly entertainment, and complimentary passes to Orlando's world-famous theme parks and other attractions. There is never any charge to visiting families, and no child is ever turned away. Since 1986, Give Kids The World Village has served more than 205,000 children and families from all 50 states and 78 countries. GKTW is four-star rated by Charity Navigator, with more than 93 cents of every dollar it spends going to program services.

For more information, contact the Give Kids The World Village public relations team.