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A Magical Vacation for Kidd’s Kids

kayweatherford
Explorer C

2015 marked the ninth year that Southwest partnered with Kidd’s Kids, an organization founded on the premise of making a difference in the lives of children with special medical needs by taking them on the trip of a lifetime—Walt Disney World. 151119KiddsKids-web0004151119KiddsKids-web0013 Southwest Airlines sends a plane full of chronically ill children and their families to Disney World during the annual Kidds Kids event. // Stephen M. Keller Kidd’s Kids was founded by the celebrated radio host personality, David Peter Cradick (‘Kidd Kraddick’), and began its charitable purpose by taking five families to Sea World in 1991. Fast forward nearly 25 years, and Kidd’s Kids now sends around 50 families a year to the most magical place on earth. For many of these families, this trip provides the opportunity to leave behind the stress of day-to-day life that includes dealing with medical issues and more.  It allows the families to take vacations that they never would have planned and it allows them to be with other families in similar situations. Southwest Airlines sends a plane full of chronically ill children and their families to Disney World during the annual Kidds Kids event. // Stephen M. Keller I was thrilled to represent Southwest as the official liaison to Kidd’s Kids this year. Between the on-air interview with Caroline Cradick and manning the phones at the telethon to kicking off the send-off event at WhiteWave Hangar this morning, I couldn’t have been more grateful for the opportunity to play a small role in supporting Kidd’s mission. Not only does Southwest donate one of our LUV jets so the families can fly to Disney World in style, but our FUN-luving Crews also donate their time. And of course, I’d be remiss if I didn’t also mention the countless other Employees across the system who volunteer their time and efforts for this great cause. Needless to say, it is truly a team effort that is guaranteed to give these kids and families an unforgettable experience. Southwest Airlines sends a plane full of chronically ill children and their families to Disney World during the annual Kidds Kids event. // Stephen M. Keller Even with the support of Southwest, the Kidd’s Kids trip is only made possible through the generous outpouring of support from faithful listeners, sponsors, and businesses around the nation. More than $480,000 was raised on this year’s Kidd’s Kids Day in October, with $51,567 of that coming from the telethon staffed by Southwest Employees! The kindness of these donations make it possible to fully fund the five-day trip and allow the families to create lasting memories free of any financial concerns. Southwest Airlines sends a plane full of chronically ill children and their families to Disney World during the annual Kidds Kids event. // Stephen M. Keller Over the last few months, I’ve been truly humbled to see our Employee’s Southwest Heart at work for such a deserving cause. As Southwest Employees, we pride ourselves on being members of the communities we serve, and sharing our Heart with Kidd’s Kids allows us to pass on our own passion and LUV to very deserving children and their families. Thank you all for your time, hard work, and even your own contributions to Kidd’s Kids. To learn more about the Kidd’s Kids charity, visit KiddsKids.com.