26 Feb 2013
We enjoyed a leisurely morning this morning, since we didn’t
have to be anywhere until 2:30. We drove
to a nearby park and had breakfast, then walked around the park, looking at all
the cypress knees (strange roots that grow straight up from the ground in order
to give the tree more oxygen) and Spanish moss dangling above. So southern looking. We used the rest of the morning to gas up,
get groceries, go to the post office to mail things for “Louise” and do laundry.
Our big event for today consisted of volunteering at Give
Kids the World (GKTW), in Kissimmee, Florida.
Friends of ours were guests there last year and suggested we volunteer
there, as the entire resort is run by volunteers. They work with over 250 “wish granting”
organizations from around the world for kids with terminal conditions and the
families stay for free at that place.
They have 129 houses and 103 of them were occupied today. We met people from Puerto Rico, Canada,
England, France and of course, all parts of the US.
We had two shifts assigned to us – the first one was poolside. Initially I thought this would help me with
my tanning efforts, but the weather was so cloudy today, that didn’t
happen. Earlier it was pouring down
rain, but we missed all that. By the
time we showed up at three o’clock for our shift, the sun was starting to make
an entrance, but never quite pulled it off.
Our biggest responsibility was handing out towels to the guests and
answering questions.
Kaleb loved being a volunteer at GKTW because they treat the
volunteers so well. There was a break
room right next to the pool full of all kinds of goodies to munch on, plus they
bring a hot dinner and big salad, so no one goes hungry. It was pretty easy duty – just chatting with
the guests, straightening out chairs and picking up debris the wind blew out of
the trees. It was heartbreaking though,
so see so many kids in wheelchairs and with so many contraptions that have to
travel with them to keep them alive.
Several of the kids didn’t even seem to be aware of where they were, but
I’m sure the families appreciated the village.
Our second shift was supposed to be at a birthday party,
helping to set up, serve cake and clean up, but they were short in the
“Gingerbread House” where they serve dinner, so we all went over there, which
was way more active. We offered to carry
the meal trays to the tables and then unloaded their plates and returned the
trays. We went around and asked if
anyone needed more beverages and brought them what they wanted. I was so impressed with Kaleb as he worked
very hard, hustling non-stop without a single complaint. I reminded him that NONE of the families really
wanted to be there because it meant they have a sick child, so the more pleasant
we were, the better for them, so be sure to provide service with a smile. He was all business and just looked serious
the whole time he was working (the blur above). Oh well.
That second three-hour shift went quickly as there was a
non-stop influx of families in the dining room.
Afterwards I sanitized the tables and chairs and Kaleb dried them off
while Kory ran the vacuum cleaner over the floor. Kaleb loved working there so much he asked if
we could come back and volunteer there for an entire week sometime. Now THAT’S a family vacation! It was pretty cool. And the grounds there are very storybook land
oriented so it’s just a fun place to hang out.
It was time well spent.
We returned to the RV resort where we were last week, but we
didn’t get back until after 10, then I had to put the clothes in the dryer and
wait for them to dry. We all took a much
needed shower and it’s now midnight and we are all still awake. At least tomorrow we can sleep in, as none of
us are anxious for the long journey home.
I’m so glad we have the freedom, health, finances and desire to do this
trip. I’m trusting it’s made an impact
on Kaleb, but I could totally see Kory and I doing more of this type of travel
once he’s off to college – Lord willing.
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