It's hard to believe that it was nearly a year ago when I first became personally involved with Give Kids the World, a Kissimmee, Fla.-based storybook-themed village that hosts seriously and sometimes terminally ill children and their families for a week while they enjoy Orlando's theme parks, all free of charge.

Give Kids the World's continued efforts provide this gift of quality, carefree time spent together by families who get a welcome, much-needed respite from hospitals, doctors and diagnoses. It's an experience during which these children can just be kids for a week, and simply enjoy themselves, the way that all children should. It's an incredible thing to witness, and it makes you take stock of your own blessings in a way that few other things can.

In August 2015 I visited GKTW for the first time as part of the Workers' Compensation Institute's (WCI) annual volunteer day, during which a variety of insurance professionals representing an array of TPAs, P&C and health carriers, MGAs and others as well as medical professionals descend upon the village and donate their time by doing landscaping work, painting or volunteering inside the facility's many family-facing areas, including its ice cream parlor and the main castle. The troops go home exhausted but emotionally buoyed by their chance to contribute something to an organization that gives so much to so many: In the 30 years that it's been in operation, GKTW has hosted nearly 140,000 children.

Annual fundraising event Aug. 20

Each year, WCI also hosts a fundraising dinner/silent auction/casino night to benefit this wonderful charitable organization. The event, held annually on the Saturday night before WCI's annual Educational Conference kicks off at the World Center Marriott in Orlando, is scheduled this year for Aug. 20 from 5:30-11 p.m.