By By EMILY DREITZLER / Niles Daily Star
NILES - The Holiday Inn Express Hotel in Niles will be holding a car wash, on Saturday, May 21 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., to benefit the Give Kids The World Charity.
Give Kids The World Village, based in Kissimmee, Fla., is a non-profit resort that creates magical memories for children with life-threatening illnesses and their families. Wish-granting organizations coordinate transportation to Orlando, while Give Kids The World provides accommodations at its whimsical resort, donated attraction tickets and meals for a week-long fantasy vacation at no cost to the family.
Founded in 1986, Give Kids The Word has welcomed families from all 50 states and over 200 families from Michigan alone. The organization has also reached families in 50 countries and continues to expand its demographic each year. Every year over 25,000 children are diagnosed with a life-threatening illness and they estimate half of those children wish to visit a Central Florida attraction or theme park. Through private donations and corporate promotions fundraising events, Give Kids the World makes many of these childrens' wishes a reality.
Focus Hospitality, the parent company of the Holiday Inn Express Hotel, has supported this charity for the past several years. The car wash and fundraiser is part of a company wide effort to raise $10,000 for the Give Kids the World Charity. Donations will be accepted by cash or check and can be dropped off at the hotel during the car wash. The Holiday Inn Express in Niles is located at 1265 S. 11th Street.