Allison Walker, Reporter
Kids with chronic illnesses will soon vacation in Orlando with better accommodations. The Give Kids the World Village in Kissimmee is about to get bigger and better, thanks to an annual fundraiser.
Nine-year-old Alex Fast and his family are on a weeklong vacation in a place that'll make any kid wide-eyed.
Nearly 6,000 kids a year with chronic illnesses get to escape to the Give Kids the World Village in Kissimmee. It's now more than a million dollars richer too, thanks to this year's Walmart/Sam's Club fundraiser.
But knowing what that money will do, Alex and his mom realize something could've made their trip just a little bit better:
Alex and his family haven't been able to stay on property this week because there's not enough room. It's booked. But Give Kids the World hopes to use some of the money from the fundraiser to eventually double the number of villas on-property."
"We are going to double the size of the Village in the next five to seven years and go to 194 villas,” said Give Kids the World president Pamela Landwirth.
Landwirth said nearly three-quarters of the families are forced to stay in hotels that aren't within walking-distance of the village. Although Alex and his family get free passes to some of the biggest theme parks in the Orlando area, some of his favorite things are right in front of him.
"Then we went over to that arcade over there, which was really fun. And then they have a pool and stuff here,” he said.
His mom said that added convenience will add that extra icing on the cake on what has already been a big help.
"Just to spend some time together and not worry about all that medical stuff,” she said.
As for Alex, he's not thinking about that bad stuff either, at least for now.
Give Kids the World also has a Kids Club for children living in Central Florida. Those kids get to attend events every month.