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KISSIMMEE, FLA. (May 13, 2019) – Give Kids The World Village (GKTW), a Central Florida based nonprofit organization that provides weeklong, cost-free vacations to children with critical illnesses and their families, today announces that its annual Hope in One Celebrity Golf Classic— presented by Holiday Inn Club Vacations—raised a record $307,000. Golfers, celebrities and athletes came together to participate in the event, which was held at The Golden Bear Club (a Jack Nicklaus signature course) on April 29.
Businesses and community members alike supported GKTW through the event’s live and silent auctions, sponsorship packages, foursome fees and drawings. Prior to the tournament, a celebrity pairings party and concert with country music singer Rick Monroe was held at the Golden Bear Club.
Holiday Inn Club Vacations-sponsored professional golfers Richy Werenski and Robert Gamez played in the event, along with fellow pro Skip Kendall and PGA celebrity coach Sean Foley. Foghat front man Charlie Huhn and ESPN broadcaster Tom James were among the celebrities to join the event. Many local athletes and coaches were also in attendance, including former professional baseball players Ray Lankford and Rickie Weeks Jr.; UCF Baseball Coach Greg Lovelady; former NFL players Ricky Nattiel, Kevin House and Gary Huff; and WWE wrestlers Kacy Catanzaro, Lacey Lane, Rob Strauss and Rinku Singh.
The Hope in One Celebrity Golf Classic continues to grow, becoming a major fundraising event for GKTW, bringing in nearly $850,000 since its inaugural year in 2017.
“The generosity of participants, celebrities and sponsors is overwhelming,” said Pamela Landwirth, president and CEO of Give Kids The World. “Their support has made the Classic a spectacular event that helps countless children and families.”
Relying on donations from partners, individuals and volunteers, GKTW grants families time away from doctors and hospitals to enjoy memorable Orlando vacations. Since the nonprofit organization was founded over 30 years ago, Orange Lake Resorts has provided support through direct financial contributions and by hosting and facilitating various fundraising initiatives, including the Hope in One Celebrity Golf Classic.
“From country music legends and famed golfers to professional athletes and WWE stars, this event brings together community leaders from all walks of life to raise money for Give Kids The World,” said John Sutherland, Executive Vice President of Sales & Marketing for Orange Lake Resorts. “We’re happy to support this amazing organization and help it provide even more memorable vacations to these brave children and their families.”
About Give Kids The World Village
Give Kids The World Village is an 84-acre, nonprofit resort built exclusively to serve critically-ill children and their families. Children visiting Central Florida on their “wish trips,” stay with their families at Give Kids The World’s storybook Village for week-long, 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 165,000 children and families from all 50 states and more than 75 countries. GKTW is four-star rated by Charity Navigator, with more than 92 cents of every dollar it spends going to program services.
About Orange Lake Resorts
Orange Lake Resorts encompasses 28 resorts and 7,600 villas in the U.S., with more than 350,000 timeshare owners and 5,000+ employees.
Orange Lake Resorts, a leader within the vacation ownership industry with more than three decades of proven success, operates Holiday Inn Club®. The Holiday Inn Club Vacations® brand was created in 2008 through a strategic alliance with IHG® (InterContinental Hotels Group), one of the world’s leading hotel companies. The flagship Holiday Inn Club Vacations property in Orlando, Fla., located next to the Walt Disney World® Resort, was established in 1982 by Holiday Inn® founder Kemmons Wilson. For more information on Holiday Inn Club Vacations or to book reservations, visit holidayinnclubvacations.com. Find us on Facebook at facebook.com/hiclubvacations or Twitter at twitter.com/hiclubvacations.