If Pamela Landwirth’s success is measured by the number of smiles she puts on children’s faces, she is at the top of her profession.

Not far from the life-sized game of CandyLand, just beyond the giant red and white polka-dotted mushroom and near the hand-carved wooden carousel is Pamela Landwirth’s office.

Inside, the first thing that catches the eye isn’t the bevy of doodads and toys arranged on a shelf above her desk. It’s not the purple walls either. It is the enormous stuffed animal nestled in the corner, a.k.a. Mayor Clayton, the floppy-eared mascot of Give Kids the World Village in Kissimmee, where Landwirth happily serves as leader.

“Come on in,” she says, in her endearing Kentucky accent. From that moment on, it’s apparent; she’s not your typical president. Probably because the nonprofit se runs is not your typical organization.

For starters, it’s a place where Christmas falls on every Thursday and eating ice cream for breakfast is encouraged. The 70-acre resort serves as a haven for children with life-threatening illnesses and their families to reboot and relax. Here, they savor a weeklong, cost-free escape that includes meals, transportation and donated tickets to SeaWorld, Disney and Universal.

It’s early morning as we set off on a tour of the meticulous grounds. First stop: the Gingerbread House Restaurant, where families are chowing down on breakfast. Nearby, Disney characters meander. Pop music fills the air.

At the whimsical hideaway, kids put their worries on the back burner and “have what we like to call a week filled with yeses,” says Landwirth. And so, Landwirth fills the fantasy land with magical places like the La-Ti-Da Royal Spa, where a teen sits in a sparkly chair waiting for her airbrush tattoo. A mother with curly-haired twins passes by outside, heading for the swimming pool.

Landwirth thrives here, and thus, so does the Village.

“I have found my calling,” she says, emphatically. “How many people actually feel like they have found what they were put on earth to do? And then get to live it every single day of their lives.”

It’s clear the role is a perfect fit. Under Landwirth’s leadership, the organization’s administrative rate is 7.8 percent, which is virtually unheard of in the nonprofit world. This means 92 cents of every dollar spent goes directly to the mission.

Plus, consider the economic footprint she’s able to make. Since 1989, the Village has hosted nearly 100,000 families from more than 68 countries. While 95 percent of the money is raised outside the area, it is all spent here in Central Florida, she says. Last year alone, the organization spent $2 million on rental cars.

Landwirth must be doing something right. Her 144 employees would likely agree. For four years, the Village has been named one of Central Florida’s “top companies for working families,” as defined by the Orlando Sentinel.

For most, being at the resort is literally a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. “You want to make it the most special place on earth because these kids may only have one more tomorrow,” she explains.

With Give Kids the World Village being one of the most respected charities in the country, “special” is an understatement.

Take Action

To volunteer or donate to Give Kids the World Village visit www.gktw.org or call (800) 995-KIDS.