Caroline Kraddick Launches New Teen Trip For Kidd's Kids

Caroline Kraddick and Hoyt, a Kidd's Kid trip recipient (Jan. 2017) photo c/o Kidd's Kids

Twenty seven years ago, Kidd's Kids was founded by legendary radio personality David "Kidd" Kraddick, as a tribute to his daughter. Before Caroline Kraddick was born in 1990, doctors told Kraddick and his then-wife, Carol, that their baby might be born with a twisted femur and be unable to walk. Kraddick has said that he struck a deal with God that if his baby was able to walk, he would use his radio show to help other kids. Caroline was born healthy, and her father kept his end of the bargain. For the past 25 years, Kidd’s Kids has taken children ages 5-12 years old with life-altering conditions on the vacation of a lifetime to Walt Disney World to create magical memories. When Kidd passed away is 2013, his daughter Caroline stepped in to lead the charity.

Cynthia Smoot and Caroline Kraddick, March 2017
photo: Cynthia Smoot

Caroline says she has long envisioned hosting a similar trip for teenagers, and this June her dream will become reality with the first annual Kidd’s Kids Teen Trip to Give Kids The World Village in Orlando. Teens ages 13-18 years old who are diagnosed with a life-threatening condition, and their families, will enjoy an all-expenses-paid vacation to the resort, including three days at Walt Disney World, two days at Universal Orlando and one day at Sea World Orlando.

“I can’t express how excited I am to expand the Kidd’s Kids program beyond our amazing annual trip in November, and to bring another life-changing experience to an older group of kids and their families,” said Caroline Kraddick, CEO and Chief Happiness Officer of Kidd’s Kids. Give Kids The World Village is a 79-acre, non-profit “storybook” resort that exists solely for the fulfillment of wishes granted to children through a partnering wish-granting organization. The child and his/her family are provided accommodations, meals, entertainment and theme park tickets to the world-famous attractions of Central Florida.

Over the years, more than 1,000 children and their families have attended the trip, totaling more than 3,750 people. The Kraddick Foundation covers all expenses and coordinates the entire experience, which includes airfare, hotel, park passes, meals, transportation, spending money, gifts and mementos from the trip. There are several ways you can help Kidd's Kids: Are you planning a trip to Disney? Book your next official Disney Vacation through Crazy Imagination Travel and proceeds will benefit Kidd's Kids!! Visit Crazyimaginationtravel.com/ for more info! For more information on Kidd’s Kids, visit KiddsKids.com.