Mathew's Boundless Playground
Do you remember playing Candy Land as a child? The game seemed to nearly be a staple in most homes, and children have loved it for decades. Give Kids The World Village, Hasbro, and Boundless Playgrounds have teamed up to create a life-sized version of the game in playground form in Kissimmee, Fla. This spectacular playground, named after Matthew McGowan for his bravery, determination, and joyous spirit, is now Matthew’s Boundless Playground. He fought a brave battle with cancer and passed away just weeks before his ninth birthday. Matthew and his family had spent a dream vacation at Give Kids The World, and GKTW was so touched by Matthew and his family that it seemed fitting to name the playground after him.
It is now part of the 70-acre, nonprofit resort that fulfills wishes for children with life-threatening illnesses and their families. The McGowan family joined executives from Hasbro, Give Kids The World, and Boundless Playgrounds to cut the ribbon on July 14, 2008, and take the first steps down the Candy Land trail. Now children are able to play and explore this magical world patterned after the popular game and bring it to life.
This playground is unique in many ways, and in addition to all the fun children can have here, it is universally accessible. Children of all abilities can enjoy this fun, 240-by-60-foot play space. It has a colorful trail leading through Gumdrop Pass and the Lollipop Forest to the Candy Castle. It also has models of classic Candy Land characters such as King Kandy, Gloppy, and Queen Frostine. Play structures have been modified for children with serious disabilities and illnesses, allowing everyone to play.
Boundless playgrounds are universally accessible and designed to support all children’s development.
Each playground is configured with many stimulating opportunities for play, creating environments for children of all abilities to enjoy free, unstructured play with peers.
Pamela Landwirth, president of Give Kids The World, notes that it is a dream come true for children who visit this haven for families. They are able to create long-lasting memories, and the playground embodies the spirit and hope that Give Kids The World inspires in all of the families served there.
“The Give Kids The World mission embodies the goals of Hasbro, Inc.’s corporate philanthropy efforts to bring joy and laughter into the lives of children and their families,” says Brian Goldner, CEO of Hasbro, Inc. “The spirit of Candy Land comes to life at this magical place, which was created to bring joy to the children who need it the most.”
Hasbro Children’s Fun, the philanthropic arm of Hasbro, Inc., has supported GKTW for many years. In fact, two years ago it was inspired by the colorful, whimsical look of the Give Kids The World Village and produced a custom Candy Land game featuring the sights and characters of Give Kids The World, including the very first children in wheelchairs to appear as characters on a game board. This special edition is given to each family visiting GKTW. It was even updated this summer to include Matthew’s Boundless Playground.
Building this playground is part of the Give Kids The World property expansion effort. It more than doubles the capacity of the Village. The number of family villas is now 196, from 96, creating more opportunities for more families to visit and enjoy this wonderful place.
GKTW provides accommodations, donated attraction tickets, meals, and more for a week-long fantasy vacation for children with serious illnesses and disabilities. Many generous individuals, corporations, and wish-granting organizations have helped nearly 88,000 families from all 50 states and also 65 countries.
The idea for GKTW was born after Henri Landwirth, a central Florida hotel industry executive, had offered accommodations for a family whose young daughter suffered from leukemia. The young girl had passed, much to his sadness, before they were able to visit. He then called upon colleagues to help create a place where families could come with less than 24 hours' notice. In 1986, Give Kids The World was officially founded and it opened its gates to the first family in 1989. With an administrative rate of just 7.3 percent, GKTW has been named a top-rated, four-star national non-profit by Charity Navigator.
Matthew was a brave little boy who loved Xbox, Spongebob Squarepants, and playing soccer. He was diagnosed with Diffuse Pontine Glioma, an inoperable brain tumor, in 2005. He fought a brave 18-month battle and will be remembered by all who knew him for his courageous and happy spirit, and the inspiration he gave others.
