As children growing up, we have all played the game ‘Telephone.’ It’s the word of mouth game where one person tells another person a phrase, and it gets passed on throughout a room full of people until the last person is told. Once the last person receives the message they compare the message they were told with what the first person started the message as. Most times it is not even close to matching the initial message, but every once in a while the message that every person received was exactly the same as it was meant to be.
Imagine putting that type of power behind a positive message. That is essentially what Pete Werner did. Pete is the DIS (www.wdwinfo.com) of the DISBoards (www.disboards.com) and loves living the Disney Driven Life.
Back in 2008, the DIS Unplugged launched a fundraiser to benefit an organization called Give Kids the World (GKTW). GKTW is a non-profit organization based in Central Florida. Their mission is as follows:
Photo Credit:Give Kids the World
Give Kids the World is a non-profit organization that exists only to fulfill the wishes of all children with life-threatening illnesses, to help these families from around the world to experience a memorable, joyful, cost-free visit to the Central Florida attractions, and to enjoy the magic of Give Kids the World Village for as long as there is a need. 100,000 children have had their dream come true at Give Kids the World. No child in need has ever been turned away – and no child ever will. Give Kids the World is a place where families find joy, laughter, serenity, and a lifetime of memories. Through the tireless support of our volunteers, employees and generous partners, we dedicate each and every day to these special families.
When Pete started the fundraiser for GKTW, their goal was $10,000. They far surpassed that goal and raised in excess of $60,000! What an amazing accomplishment. A spark ignited inside of Pete and he wanted to see just how far he and the Disney community, as well as social media could take and grow this idea. Pete came up with the idea of getting 10,000 people to commit 10 friends to each donate $10 to GKTW and thus the Power of 10 campaign was initiated. If this goal is reached, $1,000,000 will have been raised for GKTW. Talk about a powerful version of the ‘Telephone’ game!
There are a couple of ways you can get involved with the Power of 10 initiative. The first way is that you can go to www.powerof10.us and donate there. The second way is that you can text the word “DISGKTW” to 50555 and $10 will automatically be donated to GKTW through the Power of 10. Pete didn’t come up with this idea for recognition but rather to grant wishes of those less fortunate than himself. Why not forgo that meal at McDonald’s or that morning coffee from Starbucks for a worthy cause.
Take the Power of 10 challenge by live the Disney Driven Life by and give that $10 and help Give Kids the World!
Contributed by: Shaene Carson (NDH#21) Shaene is the DDL Charities and Projects Blogger.
Shaene was born in Hampton, VA and raised between there and Eastern North Carolina as a military brat. As a child growing up, he loved the Disney Channel. Every day he would get up to “Mousercise” before going to school and watched the Disney Afternoon shows (Gummi Bears, Ducktales, etc), Kid’s Incorporated and The Mickey Mouse Club every afternoon. Adulthood- Shaene was married at the Wedding Pavilion located beside the Grand Floridian at the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida. Although he still lives more than 600 miles away, he visits Disney World more than some who live 30 minutes down the road. He loves to go to character greetings and has a passion for photography of all things Disney. The way he lives his live is based on his favorite Walt Disney quote- “It’s kind of fun to do the impossible.”
