Students pitch in to ‘Give Kids the World’

Dr. Colleen Bryan led a group of 13 psychology students to Florida to work with the “Give Kids the World” charity during spring break.

“Give Kids the World” is a place where children with a life-threatening illness can spend vacation time with their families without focusing on the stress of doctor’s appointments and bills.

According to the organization’s website, the “Give Kids the World” village provides sick children and their families with lodging, meals, tickets to Orlando-area theme parks and more.

Students from MVNU had the opportunity to join “Give Kids the World” and connect with the children and other family members.

“During the trip, our main goal was to give children with illnesses and their families the best week of their lives,” junior Kristen Halloran said. “We want them to forget about being sick and just enjoy being together as a family.”

Senior psychology and sociology major Kayla Curtis said the MVNU students had plenty of opportunities to help create smiles. “Between giving kids ice cream for breakfast, singing and dancing, giving them high fives,” the group made a difference in a myriad of little ways, she said.

“Some of the families have not smiled in a while,” Curtis said. “And we got the chance to make them smile, which was such a blessing!”

Halloran said the week was as rewarding for her as it was for the children she got to interact with. It also made her reflect on her blessings.

“I have been so fortunate and blessed in my life that I want to give joy and hope to families who have not had the ‘easy’ life that I have,” she said.