FORT WORTH, Texas, Sept. 25, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- The Something
mAAgic Foundation® and American Airlines are joining to
grant children with life-threatening medical conditions and their
families a weeklong vacation in Orlando,
Fla. Tomorrow, 36 courageous children will set out on an
adventure with the Something mAAgic Foundation's 19th
annual mAAgicsm flight.
These deserving families will participate in this year's
mAAgic flight to Orlando,
Fla., where they will lodge at the incredible Give Kids The
World Village®, a 70-acre "storybook" resort in
Kissimmee, Fla. that neighbors
popular Orlando attractions. The
American Airlines Kids In Needsm program graciously
provides mileage for children and their families, and the Something
mAAgic Foundation funds all other aspects of the families'
vacations, including taxes for the airline tickets, rental cars and
lodging at Give Kids The World Village. To date, more than 435
children have participated in this annual event.
Twenty-five airports throughout the American Airlines network
will celebrate with the children as they depart from their home
cities. American Airlines employee volunteers will work together to
create themed send-off celebrations, customized to each child's
favorite things. Rows of cheering onlookers, airport volunteers and
families will meet and greet the children as they depart for
Orlando International Airport and
a "mAAgical" experience.
"Each year, I am amazed by the extraordinary, selfless
commitment of all those involved in making this event possible,"
said Marilyn Devoe, American
Airlines VP Hub Operations/Miami
and Something mAAgic Advisory Board Member. "The smiles and pure
joy that you witness on the children's faces is truly inspiring and
something you never forget."
During their stay at Give Kids The World Village (GKTW), the
families will enjoy accommodations in their own villas and meals
onsite at the Gingerbread House Restaurant and Katie's Kitchen. The
Village includes a number of wonderful entertainment options for
the children, including a wheelchair-accessible pool and splash
pad, an Ice Cream Palace, a wishing well that burps, a dinosaur
miniature golf course and the world's largest and only life-sized
version of the beloved children's game CANDY LAND.
"We are so grateful to the Something mAAgic Foundation and look
forward to welcoming these precious 36 children and their
families," said GKTW President Pam
Landwirth. "The American Airlines employees, volunteers and
family members are helping us give the wonderful gift of happiness
that inspires hope found throughout Give Kids The World
Village."
"We have developed a wonderful relationship with Give Kids The
World Village over the last 16 years," said Something mAAgic
Foundation President Krista Leap.
"We're so honored to celebrate with the children and their families
and provide them with an unforgettable flight and a great week in
Orlando."
Last year, more than 900 employees from around the world gave
their time to support mAAgic flight. This year, mAAgic
flight is sponsoring children from the United States, Argentina, Brazil, Panama and Peru.
To learn more about the Something mAAgic Foundation or to help
create magical memories through volunteer opportunities or a
financial contribution, please visit www.somethingmaagic.org.
Follow the Something mAAgic Foundation on Facebook and Twitter, and
follow along with the airport events with the hashtag
#mAAgicflight.
About Something mAAgic Foundation®
The Something mAAgic Foundation® Inc., is a non-profit
organization comprised of volunteers who are current and former
employees of American Airlines. We support the missions of Give
Kids The World Village® and other children's
organizations to create mAAgical memories for children with chronic
or life-threatening medical conditions. For more information, visit
www.somethingmaagic.org.
American Airlines Kids In Needsm Program
The American Airlines Kids In Needsm program provides
worldwide support for children and their families, as well as for
organizations dedicated to improving the quality of life for
children with needs for medical, educational, social services
issues and/or for those that heighten public awareness of
children's issues. Beneficiaries of the program include individuals
as well as organizations with needs related to medical, educational
and social concerns, and/or causes that heighten public awareness
of children's issues. For more information, visit
www.aa.com/kids.
About American Airlines Group
American Airlines Group
(NASDAQ: AAL) is the holding company for American Airlines and US
Airways. Together with wholly owned and third-party regional
carriers operating as American Eagle and US Airways Express, the
airlines operate an average of nearly 6,700 flights per day to 339
destinations in 54 countries from its hubs
in Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas/Fort Worth, Los
Angeles, Miami, New
York, Philadelphia, Phoenix and Washington, D.C. The American Airlines
AAdvantage and US Airways Dividend Miles programs allow members to
earn miles for travel, vacation packages, car rentals, hotel stays
and everyday purchases. Members of both programs can redeem miles
for tickets as well as upgrades to First Class and Business Class.
In addition, AAdvantage members can redeem miles for vacation
packages, car rentals, hotel stays and retail products. American is
a founding member of the oneworld alliance, whose members and
members-elect serve nearly 1,000 destinations with 14,250 daily
flights to 150 countries. Connect with American on Twitter
@AmericanAir and Facebook.com/AmericanAirlines and follow US
Airways on Twitter @USAirways.
About Give Kids The World
Give Kids The World Village
(GKTW) is a 70-acre, non-profit resort in Central Florida that creates magical memories
for children with life-threatening illnesses and their families.
GKTW provides accommodations at its whimsical resort, donated
attractions tickets, meals and more for a weeklong, cost-free
fantasy vacation. With the help of many generous individuals,
corporations and partnering wish-granting organizations, Give Kids
The World has welcomed more than 130,000 families from all 50
states and over 75 countries. For our latest news,
visit Twitter, Facebook and YouTube.
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SOURCE American Airlines