A Message from Jean Lowe, Manager of Village Vacation Planning Services

As our partnership with each of you continues to grow, Give Kids The World has established a new position to help us serve you better. We are happy to announce the addition of a Wish-Granting Organization (WGO) Ambassador to our Village Vacation Planning Services Team. The WGO Ambassador is here for you, to help us increase our communication and to receive your input and suggestions on how we can continue to improve. I am delighted to introduce David Schumacher as our WGO Ambassador and welcome him to our team.

We look forward to working with you in the coming months as we prepare for a very busy fall here at GKTW.

As the Village’s new Wish-Granting Organization Ambassador, I am excited to take on this new role and work together with you as we make dreams come true for the special children and families we serve.

I have many years of experience in the service industry. After 18 years in the world of resorts, recreation and cruise ships, Give Kids The World (GKTW) became my last port of call. For the past eight magical years, I have had the privilege of working in the Village Entertainment department, managing Guest Services, and most recently, managing our Volunteer Services department.

My love for the Village comes from the families we serve; from everyday events like seeing the exhilaration of each family as they step off their first plane ride to seeing our volunteer Angels embrace a child who is finally able to eat whatever they want.

As you know, Clayton’s Corner is your newsletter. We write it for our Wish-Granting partners, providing information that will help you book GKTW Wishes, and be able to explain all there is to see and do here at the Village. As you read this issue, I have two questions: What tools can we provide your organization to simplify and improve our process, and what can I do on behalf of GKTW to help your organization? I encourage you to think about these two questions. Please do not hesitate to call me at 407-396-1114 ext. 4263 or email me at DavidS@gktw.org so we can discuss how I can be of help to you.

I look forward to meeting you and working with each of you. With every moment, smile and tear, together we will create lasting memories for every family who visits GKTW.

With gratitude,

David R. Schumacher
WGO Ambassador

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On July 14, 2008, Give Kids The World (GKTW) welcomed Wish families, special friends and volunteers to the Fairy Tale Forest for the grand opening of the Village’s newest playland, Matthew’s Boundless Playground.

Matthew’s Boundless Playground is the world’s first and only life-sized CANDY LAND game. Children are invited to travel along the Gumdrop Trail through the Lollipop Forest to King Kandy’s Kastle, amidst a world of color, seven-foot tall lollipops and a playground that is fully accessible for children of all abilities.

A generous gift from Hasbro, the beautiful Playground is named for Matthew McGowan, a former GKTW Wish child. Matthew and his family became close to GKTW president Pam Landwirth. Matthew was even with Pam when Hasbro created the first GKTW version of the CANDY LAND board game came off of the Hasbro production line. Sadly, Matthew lost his brave battle with his illness.

When GKTW and Hasbro began to plan the addition of a unique Playground with a CANDY LAND theme, everyone agreed that it would be named in Matthew’s honor. Matthew’s parents, his sister Miranda, his grandparents and several aunts, uncles and cousins all joined the Village for the memorable and touching grand opening.

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