As many of you know, I have spent the last two months raising money for a charity that provides critically ill children and their families a week long vacation away from disease, doctors and the stress associated with both. The organization is called, “Give Kids The World” and is located near Orlando, Florida.
They have built an 84 acre VILLAGE that helps children rediscover the joys of childhood even under the worst of circumstances. These children and their families are also provided FREE access to all amenities inside AND outside the village including Disney World, Sea World, Universal Studios, etc…

1 of the 168 villas families use during their week long vacation. Each RABBIT mailbox has a family name identifying their “home”.
Each building is designed to reflect what it offers. Henri Landwirth (founder of Give Kids The World) did not want signs on these buildings. He wanted children to enjoy their colors and designs in amazement without any need of signs to identify their content.

Needless to say, this is where bottomless ice cream concoctions are designed and CONSUMED causing “brain freeze” and lots of laughs.

The actual Disney characters come to the village multiple times a week for those children unable to venture out to Disney itself.

In the “Castle of Miracles” anything becomes possible. Inside, you will find a grandfather clock that snores and a wishing well that burps.

Bravo. A wonderful post and experience. From now on I expect to see you wearing a cape.
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It was a great event. After the rappelling I drove to see and experience the VILLAGE itself. It was an experience I will always remember!
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Sounds wonderful. Happy it all turned out well.
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Woo hoo! Way to go! That must have been one heck of a memorable experience. 🙂
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Not really. You see, it required a 1/5 of Jack Daniels to get me off the edge of the building. I can’t remember a darn thing.
Seriously, it was great being around so many caring people willing to dedicate their lives to help others in need. I drove to the Village after the event to really see what it was all about. Just amazing!
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Yuppie, who did it and is here to tell the story???
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Looking up made the experience much easier to deal with. Although I could tell how high I was based on the reflection in the window, I never actually looked down to the ground until I was almost there.
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Hahahaha in CBT we call that exposure to the source hahahahaha bravo
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Bravo!
After watching the video, I’m crossing rappelling off my bucket list! 😉
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I’ll be honest, the people involved in this charity event provided a lifetime experience for me that easily surpassed the rappelling event. I drove to the VILLAGE afterward and saw first hand how important this organization truly is. The joy these children experience based on the hard work behind the scenes renewed my faith in the kindness and compassion that exists.
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Well done on both counts – raising the funds and rappelling from that height.
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Thank you, but I can’t take the credit…it was my stunt double that did the rappelling. (I’m only kidding)
It was quite an event being around so many caring people. I was humbled by the experience. I will forever be grateful for the opportunity working with Give Kids The World and seeing how much goodness and kindness exists (even with the distractions we face on a daily basis.)
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Well done, Doctor Jonathan! As a person who is very uncomfortable with heights, I am duly impressed.
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The entire event was something special. Words cannot express the joy in witnessing children’s lives transformed back into innocence, absent of fear and pain they’ve learned to live with. This village provides a sanctuary of “escape” as well as HOPE needed by BOTH the children AND their families.
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Sounds incredible. Sorry I missed your initial post on it. The Donate link is still operative, though.
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People can continue to donate for 30 more days. I’ve received additional contributions since the event. People understand how important this organization is for these children and their families.
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When I started out watching your descent it was with one eye open & sweaty palms grasped! 🙈 But the further you made it the more my heart-space was hootin’ & hollarin’ your heroic efforts which would benefit so many deserving families!!! Thank you for allowing so many of us to be a participant in your experience – as it was a joy to assist in surpassing your goal, as well as cheering you along from afar!!! Hugs & Blessings Doc!!
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With more than three million volunteer hours logged by over a quarter of a million volunteers, this organization epitomizes unconditional love and compassion. As a doctor that has seen my share of critically ill children, I know how much VALUE this village brings to the lives of these children and their families.
We often hear the phrase, “God’s work”, but this VILLAGE shows us in real time just what that means. I am grateful to have had the opportunity to play a small part in sharing this organization with the world. I hope others grow as much from the experience as I have. Thank you again for joining me on this journey.
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It was a joy & a pleasure to journey along! Hugs!!
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Wow…Very well done Dr J… not something I would do I do not like heights….Kudos to you and for raising that amount of money for such a worthy cause…:)
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Thank you Carol! 🙂
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Bravo. I found myself gripping my desk as you started to descend!
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Thank you for your support!
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Great job on the wall. And how wonderful to the kids….it was a great charity…well done!!!
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So glad we were all able to work together to raise as much money as we did for this benevolent charity. This charity truly defines, “God’s work”!
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Congratulations Jonathan. This I am sure will be a memory you will never forget, and what a great experience. I must say, I am not really one for heights (although I would love to face my fear) but my heart was practically in my throat watching you go down. 🙂
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The real memory was my visit to Give Kids The World VILLAGE after the rappelling. I was provided a 1 1/2 hour guided tour showing just how marvelous this village really is. When I think in terms of “doing God’s work” this VILLAGE exemplifies the point!
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This so awesome Jonathan! What an amazing place The Village is, I’m so glad you could raise funds for them.
Just an FYI the link to your blog in the email doesn’t work.
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Did you get a second email entitled “OOPPPS, the first link didn’t work”? After I sent the initial emailbI realized I wroted worldpress instead of wordpress.
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Oh I’m sorry, yes I did get the second one! For some reason I overlooked it. Link is fine.
Worldpress has a nice ring to it…..😜
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Thanks for letting me know. If wordpress chooses to change their name to worldpress, I hope I’m offered a “piece of the action!” 😀
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Lol! 🙂
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What a beautiful place! How exciting to have the repel on video! What a great thing for you to do!💕
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I was thinking about you while visiting this piece of heaven on earth. ALL people on this amazing planet have common needs. We want to be loved, cared about and cared for, and better understand our reason for being in this world. Whether healthy or facing disease, these needs and wants remain unchanged. Pursuing them gives us positive focus and purpose as we strive to achieve these goals.
Glad you enjoyed the photos and the video. Wouldn’t it be nice if this small VILLAGE replaced most of the journalism reported today to create a better perspective of LIFE and the GOODNESS all around us provided by compassionate caring people!
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