Give Kids The World Launches Coasting for Kids: The Inversion Tour Amusement Park Event for 2024 Season

Give Kids The World Village is partnering with eight of the nation's top theme and amusement parks this summer to stage Coasting for Kids: The Inversion Tour, a fundraising program that enables participants to experience the thrill and excitement of their favorite local attractions while giving back to charity. Proceeds will benefit the Village, an 89-acre, whimsical nonprofit resort in Central Florida that provides children with critical illnesses and their families from around the world with magical week-long wish vacations at no cost.

The event will be hosted at Six Flags Over Texas in Arlington, TX (June 23); Adventureland in Altoona, IA (July 7); Hersheypark in Hershey, PA (July 13); Six Flags Fiesta Texas in San Antonio, TX (July 27); Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, TN (August 3); Holiday World & Splashin' Safari in Santa Claus, IN (August 18); Six Flags Great Adventure in Jackson Township, NJ (August 24); and Kennywood in Pittsburgh, PA (September 1).

To participate, those interested can visit www•gktw•org/coasting to review the specific details for each participating park and register online. Those who donate or raise a minimum of $150 for Give Kids The World will receive a special Coasting for Kids pass, giving them complimentary access and exclusive perks at their park of choice, along with a Coasting for Kids t-shirt. This year's event will feature unique behind-the-scenes experiences at each park that cannot be purchased by the public, including early access to select roller coasters – along with special incentives for participating at multiple parks. Fundraisers who register for two or more parks will automatically be entered into a raffle for the chance to attend the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) Expo 2024 in Orlando in November, attended by thousands of amusement industry members from more than 100 countries worldwide.

"We are grateful for the support of these amazing theme parks," said Give Kids The World President & CEO Pamela Landwirth. "Together with Coasting for Kids participants and our generous sponsors, their efforts will help us create priceless experiences, cherished memories and enduring hope for children and families who need it most."

More than 30,000 children in the U.S. are diagnosed with a critical illness each year, and half of those eligible for a wish choose to visit Central Florida and its theme parks. Give Kids The World Village is the nonprofit that fulfills all of these wishes – providing every wish family with an all-inclusive dream vacation that includes transportation; accommodations; all meals and snacks; nightly entertainment; donated theme park tickets; daily gifts; and nonstop fun at the Village, featuring an array of accessible rides and attractions. Since 1986, Give Kids The World has welcomed nearly 200,000 families from all 50 states and 77 countries.

Give Kids The World is one of less than 1% of all U.S. charities to receive Charity Navigator's highest rating 18 years in a row.

Source Give Kids The World Village

Nayrouz Olarte Launches Global Fashion Trade Organization

Nayrouz Olarte Announces the Formation of International Fashion Federation, a Global Trade Organization for all Stakeholders in Fashion, Tourism and Hospitality.

Multi-passionate entrepreneur and philanthropist Nayrouz Olarte, known for her transformative leadership as the former President of the Board of Orlando International Fashion Week and founder of the HER Foundation, is proud to announce the launch of the International Fashion Federation (IFF). This groundbreaking global trade organization is dedicated to uniting stakeholders in fashion, tourism and hospitality committed to a mission that enhances the cities of tomorrow through the synergistic power of fashion.

 

While other leading fashion organizations focus on global trade, designer recognition through awards, and education and resources for support with things like materials, supply chain and manufacturing, IFF will focus on the connection between the fashion industry and the business interests of a thriving city.

"By propelling fashion into a cultural conversation, we can form a collective interest and impact communities just as the performing arts have done for centuries. I believe that fashion can bring the world together because it's a universal language of self-expression; it's the art of our everyday lives. Infusing fashion into the fabric of a city has a profound impact on its culture, tourism, and luxury markets. Florida is the second most valuable real estate market in the country, and we envision matching that value from an art, fashion, and cultural perspective. I've seen firsthand how an emphasis on fashion can revitalize a city, and I'm passionate about expanding this work throughout Florida and then into other parts of the world," said Nayrouz Olarte.

Nayrouz's past experience in her culinary career, serving her community in a pivotal role at Orlando International Fashion Week, and as founder of HER Foundation set the stage for this vision to come to life. Olarte's focus for the past several years has been in the non-profit space. She launched HER Foundation and hosted an inaugural HER Gala where she partnered with Jackie Siegel and Victoria's Voice Foundation. That fashion show gala event caught the attention of the board of directors at Orlando International Fashion Week and she was later named CEO. She has shown the city of Orlando how powerful the intersection of fashion, luxury lifestyle, hospitality and tourism can be. Her first project upon launching the International Fashion Federation will be called Glamour for Good, a show to benefit NonPareil students with Autism. 

Business leaders, city planners, and innovators are invited to join the IFF as founding trustees or members, shaping a future where fashion plays a central role in urban development and cultural enrichment. This is an unparalleled opportunity to be at the forefront of a movement that leverages fashion as a catalyst for social transformation and economic growth.

Source: International Fashion Federation