Hearts of Reality Autograph Session Hits Celebration Today!
Hearts of Reality is back and now in its seventh year it is your opportunity to meet some of the stars from TV shows such as Survivor, The Amazing Race, Big Brother as well as other hit shows.
The event starts at 2.30pm today at the Bohemian Hotel in Celebration and among the many stars putting in an appearance is 80’s singing sensation Tiffany (pictured above). She is most notable for her 1987 cover version of “I Think We’re Alone Now”, originally recorded by Tommy James and the Shondells in 1967. Released as the second single from her eponymous album, Tiffany, the song quickly became a teen anthem.
Other stars new to the event in attendance this year are Natalie and Nadiya Anderson, Jim and Misti Raman (pictured above), Audrey Middleton, Derrick Levasseur, Cody Calafiore, Robbie E and Jessie Godderz who join over 100 other celebrities in attendance.
For the Autograph Signing on Saturday- $35.00 donation to Give Kids The World gets you into the autograph area for autographs with the stars and includes a commemorative Autograph Booklet.
Many of the stars actually arrived in Orlando on Thursday to attend a VIP Party before heading over to Gatorland Orlando on Friday morning. In case you haven’t been to Gatorland, it’s really a great alternative attraction to Central Florida’s main theme parks. Gatorland is a 110-acre theme park and wildlife preserve.
Gatorland was founded by Owen Godwin in 1949, and still privately owned by his family today. Billed as the “Alligator Capital of the World,” Gatorland features thousands of alligators and crocodiles, a breeding marsh with boardwalk and observation tower, reptile shows, aviary, petting zoo, swamp walk as well as some great educational programs. The park is known for buying and rescuing nuisance alligators from trappers that would otherwise be killed for their meat and skin. The Breeding Marsh area of the park was also used in the filming of the 1984 movie Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom.
After visiting Gatorland attendees then visited Give Kids The World.
The story of Give Kids The World began with a little girl with a wish and the desire of one man to make that wish come true.
The little girl’s name was Amy. Amy had leukemia and one wish – to visit the theme parks in Orlando. To facilitate Amy’s wish, the request of a complimentary stay was made to a respected hotelier. As he had done many times before, the hotelier gladly obliged and Amy’s wish was that much closer to being realized. Sadly, the remainder of Amy’s travel plans took too long to arrange and her wish was never granted; Amy had passed away. Time simply ran out.
This unfulfilled wish inspired a man, the hotelier, to make a vow that no child in need would ever be failed again. That man was Henri Landwirth and his desire to ensure that Amy’s story would never repeat itself is where the story of Give Kids The World begins.
Landwirth enlisted the support of colleagues in the hospitality industry, including our world-famous theme parks, to assist him in bringing these special families to Central Florida within 24 hours if need be. He called the project “Give Kids The World,” because that is just what he intended to do – provide memorable, magical, cost-free experiences to children with life-threatening illnesses and their families.
As the program expanded and the number of families continued to grow, it was apparent that Give Kids The World would need to create a place that could better serve the special needs of our families. The gates of Give Kids The World Village opened in 1989.
The Village is now a 70-acre resort complete with over 140 villa accommodations, entertainment attractions, whimsical venues, and fun specifically designed for children with special needs.
With the help of many generous individuals, corporations and partnering wish-granting organizations, Give Kids The World has welcomed more than 134,000 families from all 50 states and over 75 countries.
Today you have a chance to help the cause and by enjoying a visit to Celebration to meet your favorite Reality TV stars. Why not pop along and have some fun?
The action begins at 2.30pm if you can make it but if you can’t, you can still help a great cause by donating to Give Kids The World at www.gktw.com
Lots more photos from the event at www.FloridaLeisurePhotography.com
