Henri Landwirth
| Henri Landwirth | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born |
March 7, 1927 Antwerp, Belgium |
| Occupation | hotelier |
| Known for | founder of Give Kids the World, Holocaust survivor |
Henri Landwirth is a businessman, hotelier, and philanthropist.
Early life
Born in Antwerp, Belgium, on March 7, 1927, Henri and his family were separated and became prisoners in the Nazi death and labor camps during World War II. Henri spent the years between the ages of 13 and 18 in camps, including Auschwitz and Mauthausen. By war’s end, both of his parents had been killed but Henri and his twin sister, Margot, survived and were reunited. Henri worked his way to America on a freight ship, arriving in New York City with $20 in his pocket and little knowledge of the English language. Soon after, he was drafted to serve in the Army.[1]
Career
Henri used his GI benefits to learn hotel management and landed a position in a hotel. Landwirth moved to Florida in 1954 and began to manage the 100-room Starlight Motel in Cocoa Beach, near Cape Canaveral. Space exploration was in its early days and the original Mercury 7 astronauts and newsmen covering their adventures made the Starlight their temporary residence. It was during this time that Henri met and befriended the astronauts and newsmen, including Senator John Glenn and the late Walter Cronkite.[2]
Give Kids the World
Landwirth's career as a hotelier continued as he managed and eventually owned and operated several hotels in the Central Florida area. During this time, Landwirth would often host at his hotels - free of charge - children with life-threatening illnesses and their families, who were visiting the Orlando-area on trips granted by a wish-granting organization. In 1986, Landwirth was contacted by one such wish-granting organization with a request to host a child and her family, however, some of the periphery arrangements could not be made in time and the little girl died. This unfulfilled wish inspired Landwirth to make a vow that no child in need would ever be failed again. His desire to ensure that Amy's story would never repeat itself led to the founding of Give Kids The World.[3]
Landwirth enlisted the support of colleagues in the hospitality and tourism industries to assist him in bringing families of children with life-threatening illnesses to Central Florida within 24 hours if need be. He called the project Give Kids The World, and he intended to provide magical experiences with a vacation that means the world to children with life-threatening illnesses and their families.[4]
As the program expanded and the number of families continued to grow, it was apparent that Give Kids The World would need to create a place that could better serve the needs of our families. In 1989, the gates of Give Kids The World Village opened and what once was a dream was now a 31-acre reality.[5]
Today the Village is a 79-acre resort with 144 villa accommodations, unique entertainment attractions, whimsical venues, and fun activities for children of all abilities.[6]
Landwirth is no longer directly involved with the everyday operation of Give Kids The World Village.
References
- ↑ Landwirth, Henri; Hendricks, J.P. (1996). The Gift of Life. Privately Published.
- ↑ Landwirth, Henri; Hendricks, J.P. (1996). The Gift of Life. Privately Published.
- ↑ Landwirth, Henri; Hendricks, J.P. (1996). The Gift of Life. Privately Published.
- ↑ "Henri Landwirth Bio". Give Kids The World Website. Retrieved 17 June 2016.
- ↑ Landwirth, Henri; Hendricks, J.P. (1996). The Gift of Life. Privately Published.
- ↑ "Henri Landwirth Bio". Give Kids The World Website. Retrieved 17 June 2016.