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Kidd’s Kids Fly Away with Our Hearts

tlaraba
Explorer A

This year was our eighth year supporting Kidd’s Kids, an extraordinary organization that provides chronically or terminally ill children and their families a trip of a lifetime to Walt Disney World.  This year, I had the honor to be the official Southwest liaison to Kidd’s Kids.  From kicking off the fundraising telethon manned by Southwest Airlines Employees several months ago to celebrating our partnership at the actual sendoff yesterday, it is definitely one of my favorite and most inspiring Leadership roles to date.

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It has been a little over a year since the passing of Kidd Kraddick, the mastermind behind this idea, and it was heartwarming to see the outpouring of support from Southwest Airlines as we sent off more than 60 children and their families to spend five magical days enjoying the Walt Disney World parks, providing them with a life-changing escape from their own tough reality.  Each year, we donate a roundtrip charter plane with all the trimmings—a Fun-LUVing Crew who donates their time and all the pretzels and soft drinks that can be consumed on their way to and from Orlando!

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Kidd’s Kids is funded solely by generous donations from the public.  More than $533,000 was collected in contributions from businesses and sponsors from around the nation and from the faithful Kidd Kraddick in the Morning listeners.  As Southwest Airlines stood side-by-side with the Kidd Kraddick in the Morning radio personalities, I was filled with so much pride for our Company’s contributions to this honorable cause.  At Southwest Airlines, 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.

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