originally posted on 5/3/2019
Coasting for Kids is back for 2019 and what success it is already having! Busch Gardens Williamsburg (Virginia) was the first host. American Coaster Enthusiasts has been a vital partner in supporting Give Kids The World.
Give Kids The World welcomes families of critically ill children from across the world to offer them the fulfillment of their wish to visit the parks in the Orlando area. The family enjoys a vacation valued at $6,000 that includes theme park tickets to Universal Studios, SeaWorld, Walt Disney World and other area attractions if requested; along with accommodations; meals; and as all that the village has to offer. Visiting the village is a treat itself with ice cream all day, rides developed to accommodate wheel chairs, visits from characters and a beautiful zero entry pool. A favorite perk of the village is that the families enjoy celebrating a different holiday each day. On the Christmas celebration day, family members are treated to a gift of their choice to keep as a souvenir; on Halloween, every person chooses a costume. Many of these items are donated by organizations and parks. While at the village, all the necessary medical items and care that are needed by each child is provided on site, so the vacation can be worry free.
During this Coasting for Kids event, almost $15,000 was raised — enough to fund 2.5 wishes. The ACE Cares team was the top fundraiser, contributing more than $7,000. Special accolades to Clint Novak who was the top ACE fundraiser at $2,000 raised.
Chris Novak and Elizabeth Ringas show off their Coasting for Kids awards.
Photo: Jennifer Bock. View full-sized image.
Photo: Elizabeth Ringas. View full-sized image.
Busch Gardens Williamsburg was an exceptional host to all who raised a minimum of $100. Light breakfast was served while Steven Amos from Give Kids The World presented the top team and fundraiser with a plaque. Participants then heard the heartbreaking story of a wish receiver who visited the park in August last year before her daughter lost her battle to disease in December. Everyone was touched by how much that vacation meant to her. Kevin Lemke, park president, briefly welcomed teams and presented every attendee with a Quick Queue pass for the day. Coaster riding kicked off at 8:30 a.m., with two hours of ERT on five coasters around the park, after which participants headed off to enjoy all that Busch Gardens Williamsburg offers. The rewards weren’t over for those who raised $250 or more, however, because they were treated to a behind-the-scenes tour of Griffon, Verbolten and Loch Ness Monster that included two more rides on each. All enthusiasts certainly enjoyed the thorough behind-the-scenes look at these coasters. What an amazing day it was!
Photo: Elizabeth Ringas. View full-sized image.
Photo: Elizabeth Ringas. View full-sized image.
Photo: Elizabeth Ringas. View full-sized image.
Want to do more than the financial support through Coasting for Kids? The Give Kids The World Village can use your time. At least 1,200 volunteers are needed each week to make all the magic at the Village happen. You can volunteer the next time you are in Orlando! Find more details at gktw.org/volunteer.
Upcoming Coasting for Kids events:
May 4 — Legoland Florida
May 11 —Six Flags Darien Lake
June 8 — Quassy Amusement Park
June 8 — Sesame Place
June 22 — Six Flags Over Texas
June 29 — Silverwood Theme Park
July 13 — Story Land
July 20 — Six Flags Fiesta Texas
Aug 3 — Indiana Beach
Aug 10 — Six Flags Over Georgia
Aug 16 — Six Flags America
Aug 17 — Fantasy Island
Aug 17 — Frontier City Theme Park
Aug 24 — Six Flags Great America
Sept 1 — Kennywood
— Elizabeth Ringas
ACE communications director, ACE Mid-Atlantic regional representative
@#$%&!
#ACENews