Insurance industry works to Give Kids the World
By donating just a few hours of time, 1,100 insurance professionals made a world of difference.
It’s not often that insurance carriers and vendors have the opportunity to combine their talents to make a tremendous impact for an organization, but that’s what 1,100 folks from 187 companies did before the recent Workers Compensation Institute (WCI) convention in Orlando, Fla., for Give Kids the World (GKTW).
It is a massive undertaking that involves recruiting volunteers; assigning them to specific tasks; transporting them to and from the GKTW complex; providing breakfast, water and snacks; assigning volunteer liaisons to help direct all of the volunteers; and basically ensuring that even the smallest details are covered. Doug Clark, director of client services for Sedgwick, is in charge of coordinating all of this with an outstanding team of colleagues.
In less than four hours, this vast workforce accomplished more than two years’ worth of work at the village — everything from landscaping, painting and cleaning to scooping ice cream, running rides and creating crafts for the village’s special guests. Everyone was happy to participate, and despite the heat and hard work for some, there were big smiles everywhere.
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“When you find people who want to do good and you extend the opportunity, they want to be a part of something that is bigger than themselves, and that’s what makes this event so successful,” shared Clark.
GKTW was started 32 years ago by Henri Landwirth, who learned that the organization needed a place for children with life-threatening illnesses to visit with their families. It is a magical setting with horseback riding, swimming, children’s rides, an ice cream parlor, a spa and other unique amenities created just for their special guests.
The day culminated with the WCI annual GKTW gala, where more than 800 people gathered to raise $75,000 for the charity and heard stories from families who have stayed at the village.
Some of our staff had the privilege of participating in the workday at GKTW. Shawn Moynihan, editor-in-chief of National Underwriter Property & Casualty; Danielle Ling, associate editor of online features & multimedia for PC360, and I were just part of the team trying to make a difference. Never underestimate the impact you can make when you’re willing to share a little bit of yourself with others.
Patricia L. Harman is editor-in-chief of Claims magazine. Contact her at pharman@alm.com.