originally posted on 3/17/2023
Photo: Courtesy Give Kids The World. View full-sized image.
A random act of kindness usually starts with one step. However, for three determined ACE members, philanthropy began with approximately 10,000 steps as they ambled their way through a familiar neighborhood, a historic arboretum and a whimsical village all to help families make lifelong memories. During the unseasonably warm weekend of February 11, 2023, Give Kids The World (GKTW) Village hosted its annual 5K fun run fundraiser. Motivated members on the ACE Cares Team participated both in person at the Village near Kissimmee, Florida, and virtually in Ohio and Maryland in the Gingerbread Run 5K: Valentine’s Day Edition.
GKTW Village was founded in 1986 by respected hotelier Henri Landwirth, who partnered with generous individuals and corporations to create this nonprofit resort that serves children with life-threatening illnesses by providing their families with a memorable, cost-free visit to the central Florida attractions. The Village is a storybook-like, 89-acre resort that grants wishes to sick children, who can experience the joys of a simple childhood and have uncomplicated fun with their families – something they may have missed doing owing to illness.
Gaclyn Antar.
Photos: Courtesy ACE Cares Collection. View full-sized image.
Jeanna Piper.
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Kris Leach.
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The ACE Cares Team promoted this event to help increase awareness of GKTW, all while raising $1,373 with the help of friends and family to support the Village’s mission. Two members of the team, Jeanna Piper (ACE Mid-Atlantic) and Kris Leach (ACE Eastern Great Lakes), chose to participate virtually by completing their 3.1-mile adventure in scenic parks close to their homes. One member of the team, Gaclyn (Jacki) Antar (ACE Western Great Lakes), ventured to central Florida to experience the Village magic firsthand.
In-person participants met prior to the race to be encouraged and motivated for their adventure through the winding streets. They encountered several interesting characters along the 3.1-mile course, including the Village’s own Mayor Clayton and Miss Merry; Sprinkles and Murphy, the Gingerbread friends; Storm Troopers; fairies; and a mythical unicorn. Music played loudly while volunteers and other guests lined the streets to cheer on the participants as they wound their way past the beautiful villas and the Village Town Hall. After their jaunt through the Village, the athletes were treated to delicious post “run” snacks, including ice cream from Henri’s Starlight Scoops shop near the Castle of Miracles. Elizabeth Davis, event manager for GKTW, shared that the event “raised a total of $185,000 and was super successful. We had 850 in-person participants and 173 virtual runners.”
Virtual participants in the event were mailed their finishing medals and official race bibs prior to the Gingerbread Run date so they could don them on race day. Prizes that were won as a result of meeting fundraising levels will be delivered to the participants at a later date.
The ACE Cares Team is grateful to the staff of GKTW Village for their hospitality and coordination of this event. ACE looks forward to participating in the Gingerbread Run in the future with a larger and more enthusiastic contingency.
— Kris Leach, ACE Cares Coordinator
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