Give Kids The World Hope In One Celebrity Golf Classic Raises Record $305,000 To Benefit Children With Life Threatening Illnesses

A full field of 160 golfers and celebrities teed it up for the Give Kids The World Celebrity Golf Classic on Monday, April 30 at The Golden Bear Club, a Jack Nicklaus signature course. Presented by Holiday Inn Club Vacations, the event raised a record $305,000 to benefit the Kissimmee, FL based Give Kids The World Village (GKTW). This year’s event was dedicated to keeping the memory and mission of philanthropist and GKTW Founder Henri Landwirth alive. Landwirth passed away on April 16.

The Central Florida nonprofit resort makes dreams come true by providing weeklong, cost-free vacations to children with critical illnesses and their families. GKTW relies on donations from partners, individuals and many volunteers to make magic, and give families time away from doctors and hospitals to just have fun.

Joining the players on the greens were 32 celebrities including professional golfers Richy Werenski, Robert Gamez, Skip Kendall and PGA tour coach Sean Foley; former professional baseball players Ray Lankford, Rickie Weeks and Wil Nieves; UCF Basketball Coach Johnny Dawkins and UCF Baseball Coach Greg Lovelady; former professional football players Ricky Nattiel, Terrence Barber, Kevin House and Jesse Solomon; Charlie Huhn, lead singer of Foghat and country singer/songwriters Rick Monroe and Rob West.

“Without the support of companies like Holiday Inn Club Vacations, our goal to never refuse a request from a deserving child and their family would not be possible,” said Pamela Landwirth, president & CEO of Give Kids The World Village. “We sincerely thank all sponsors, players and celebrities who came out and gave so generously of their time and treasures to help to create happiness and hope for our precious families. It was a beautiful day and a wonderful event. We are incredibly grateful.”

“As a board member of Give Kids The World I see the incredible impact this organization has on children and families. Our company has been a proud supporter of the mission of Give Kids The World since its inception,” commented Stacey Sutherland, vice president of corporate branding and communications for Orange Lake Resorts. “I am overwhelmed by the support from our community, our vendors, celebrities and volunteers that make this event happen. In just two years, we have raised more than $540,000 for the Village.”

The amount raised for GKTW came from local and national businesses and caring people living in the community through sponsorships, foursome fees, drawings, live and silent auctions. Prior to the tournament, a celebrity pairings party and concert with country music singers Rick Monroe, Rob West and Kenyon Lockry was held at the Golden Bear Club.

About Orange Lake Resorts

Orange Lake Resorts encompasses 26 resorts and 7,400 villas in the U.S., with more than 340,000 timeshare owners and 5,000+ employees.

Orange Lake Resorts, a leader within the vacation ownership industry with more than three decades of proven success, operates the Holiday Inn Club®. The Holiday Inn Club Vacations® brand was created in 2008 through a strategic alliance with IHG® (InterContinental Hotels Group), one of the world’s leading hotel companies. The Holiday Inn Club Vacations flagship property in Orlando, Fla., located next to the Walt Disney World® Resort, was established in 1982 by Holiday Inn® founder Kemmons Wilson. The timeshare brand includes 26 resorts across 13 states. For more information on Holiday Inn Club Vacations or to book reservations, visit hiclubvacations.com. Find us on Facebook at facebook.com/hiclubvacations or Twitter at twitter.com/hiclubvacations.

About Give Kids The World Village

Give Kids The World Village is an 84-acre, nonprofit “storybook” resort located near Central Florida’s most beloved attractions. Critically ill children and their families are treated to weeklong, cost-free vacations, complete with accommodations in whimsical villas, transportation, donated attraction tickets, meals, and much more. Since 1986, Give Kids The World Village has welcomed more than 160,000 families from all 50 states and over 75 countries. At the Village, these precious children learn that dreams really do come true, as they and their families are immersed in joy, hope, and non-stop fun for a few unforgettably happy days. This extraordinary, life-changing experience is Give Kids The World’s gift, made possible only through the generosity of dedicated corporations and countless individuals. For more information, visit www.givekidstheworld.org.

Media Contacts:

Brian Martin

Orange Lake Resorts

407.395.6925

[email protected]

Emily Wagner

Give Kids The World Village

407-396-1114, ext. 4519

[email protected]