Voluntourism: Give kids the World (en andere)

[Michael66]

Tijdens je vakantie vrijwilligerswerk doen voor een organisatie die ernstig zieke kinderen een Florida-vakanie geeft?
Dat kan! Bij Give Kids the World in Kissimmee.

Lees eens wat ze daar allemaal doen voor families die bij hen een zorgeloze vakantie kunnen vieren.
En schrijf je in als vrijwilliger!
Website: http://www.gktw.org

Ook kun je een Universal-pakket kopen, waarbij je twee dagen naar de Universal attractieparken kunt, en één dag (4 uur shift) aan het werk gaat bij Give Kids The World.

Universal includes volunteer work in its latest vacation package

Universal Orlando is offering its hotel guests the chance to include a volunteer experience in their Florida vacation through a new partnership with the local children's charity Give Kids the World. The theme-park resort unveiled a vacation package Wednesday that includes two days in its parks, Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure, and one day at Give Kids the World, a non-profit resort that provides free vacations to children with life-threatening illnesses and their families.

Tourists might spend their shift as a volunteer painting children's nails or doing airbrush tattoos in the resort's La Ti Da Spa, or helping with souvenir photos as children at the resort meet costumed storybook characters. They might serve food in the Gingerbread House restaurant, or bus tables and clean up after families' meals.

The vacation package is a commercial example of "voluntourism," in which travelers combine vacations with volunteer service. And in this case it draws attention to the mission of Give Kids the World, which should help the organization raise funds and reach more children, said Pamela Landwirth, the charity's president. "Anything that we can do to generate more awareness about our mission is going to benefit us greatly," Landwirth said.

Universal said the packages include three nights at one of its on-site hotels, two days of theme-park admission, and transportation to and from Give Kids the World, where guests will work a four-hour shift. The package starts at $589 per adult, including taxes. Universal will also donate $100 to Give Kids the World for every package booked.
Landwirth said the package can help parents instill in their children a "sense of giving back" and help families "reflect on how blessed they are" even while they're on vacation. Because most of the tasks at the Give Kids the World village are handled by volunteers, local and otherwise, the resort is in constant need of helpers. "We fill nearly 1,400 shifts every week. It's a staggering number," Landwirth said.

Bron: http://thesent.nl/Z5in7v

[Yowannes]

Dat is recht tegenover de ingang van onze community.
Leuk om te weten dat er initiatieven zijn die deze mensen sponsoren (want ik kan me voorstellen dat het niet eenvoudig is om dit plaatje financieel rond te krijgen).

[Michael66]

Meer voluntourisme: op de Florida Keys.

Give Back on Your Florida Keys Getaway with Voluntourism

Tropical islands, strung together into a lazy chain. Neon green, pink and turquoise cottages, so bright you squint behind your sunglasses. Margaritas and tanned bodies and conch chowder. Boats and fishing, and everywhere you look, emerald-hued waters, swirling with life.

How can anyone not love the Florida Keys?

And now you’ve got a chance to help them thrive.

Thanks to a new website, www.keysvoluntourism.com, it’s easy for you to connect and get involved with voluntourism opportunities on your Florida Keys vacation. The site provides direct links to Florida Keys charities, nonprofit organizations and foundations -- all dedicated to protecting and improving the quality of human and animal life -- that are seeking volunteers.

Organizations currently involved with the Keys voluntourism effort include:

• Reef Environmental Education Foundation
• Coral Restoration Foundation
• Pigeon Key
• Marathon Wild Bird Center
• Florida Keys Wild Bird Rehabilitation Center
• Habitat For Humanity of Key West & Lower Florida Keys
• Key West Tropical Forest & Botanical Garden
• Key West Wildlife Center

You might help build an underwater coral nursery, or you might plant corals on actual reefs. You might collect data on reef fish populations, assist with yard work or minor repairs at an outdoor tropical garden facility, or feed injured, wild birds. You might help maintain trails, help with a fundraising events or something entirely different.

But one thing’s for sure. Whatever you end up doing to help is going to be good for the cause and good for your soul.

Zie http://bit.ly/YpMQif

[inavm]

Ik kreeg tijdens ons vorige verblijf in Kissimmee een uitnodiging in onze brievenbus voor een ontbijt en rondleiding op Give Kids the World Village. Ons huis staat op 50 meter afstand, maar we waren er nog nooit geweest. Tenslotte loop je er niet zo maar heen... Ze zitten niet op toeristen te wachten, het is ten slotte geen pretpark !
Ze organiseren maandelijks (iedere derde donderdag van de maand) om 7.30 uur zo'n ontbijt en rondleiding.
ik ben er heen gegaan met enkele buurtjes en we waren echt onder de indruk van hetgeen ons tijdens de rondleiding verteld werd. Het uiteindelijke doel is natuurlijk om donoties te genereren, maar je kunt je ook als vrijwilliger opgeven.
Wil je ook eens zo'n rondleiding meemaken, dan kun je je aanmelding via een mailtje naar carrots@gktw.org
Ik ga mij tijdens ons volgende verblijf aanmelden als vrijwilliger.