Give Kids The World is closing indefinitely

Give Kids The World — the fantasy-come-true resort that gives critically ill children and their families an all-expenses-paid vacation in Orlando — made what its CEO called the “devastating” decision Tuesday to close its doors indefinitely because of the coronavirus.

The vast majority of the charity’s staff — 171 employees — will be laid off, effective June 27. Another 26 workers will remain on staff for security and fundraising and to work with alumni families, volunteers and nonprofit partners.

In an announcement on social media, Give Kids The World president and CEO Pamela Landwirth said the Make-A-Wish Foundation, which pays for travel and other expenses for many of the 8,000 families who stay at the village each year, had “unexpectedly” decided not to schedule additional wishes that involve travel or large groups until a vaccine for the potentially deadly virus is in wide use.

“We support their decision,” Landwirth said in an interview. “It is heart-wrenching, but the safety and well-being and health of our very vulnerable children and families are our utmost pri

orities. And at this point, we just don’t know when it will be safe for them to travel, when it will be safe to be in places with large groups.”

Many of the children who visit the 84-acre resort in Kissimmee have compromised immune systems as a result of illness or treatment.

A centerpiece of their weeklong vacations are trips to the area’s major theme parks, which are reopening this month and next after being shuttered since March because of the coronavirus.

Give Kids The World is also wildly popular with volunteers, some 18,000 of whom are considered “active.” They serve food, run the village train, lead activities and dress up in character costumes.

“This is understandable but heartbreaking,” read one reply to the charity’s announcement on Twitter. “The moment you are ready to reopen, I know there is an army of Orlando locals just waiting to volunteer.”

After the village shuttered March 18, it continued to pay employees and cover benefits, Landwirth said, largely thanks to the federal Paycheck Protection Program.

But continuing to do so with “no end in sight” simply isn’t possible, she added.

“Other nonprofits don’t have a resort where they have to continue maintenance and landscaping,” Landwirth said. “So even though we’ll be closed, we still need that financial support more than ever so we can be ready for when we come back.”

It’s not clear yet whether that will be only after a vaccine for COVID-19, the disease caused by the virus, is developed.

“Although the theme parks are reopening, we are uncertain as to when they will be able to welcome vulnerable guests, including our wish children,” Landwirth said. “It’s going to have to be when all three of us — the theme parks, the wish-granting organizations and Give Kids the World — feel it will be safe.”