Boys Town Central Florida

Pamela Landwirth, president of Give Kids The World, is honored with the Spirit of Youth Award. Landwirth is pictured with Greg Zbylut, Boys Town Central Florida Executive Director, and Father Steven Boes, Boys Town National Executive Director.

Boys Town Honors Pamela Landwirth for her Work to 'Give Kids The World'

The 2006 Boys Town Central Florida Spirit of Youth Awards inspired more than 300 guests to "Believe" in the future of Florida's severely at-risk children.

The event Nov. 4 at SeaWorld Orlando honored Pamela Landwirth, president of Give Kids The World, a nonprofit agency whose mission is to grant the wishes of children with life-threatening illnesses. Her recognition stems from her efforts to bring happiness into the lives of terminally ill children and their families.

"Pamela's truly dedicated and tireless efforts to provide children and their families a break from the reality of their illnesses are more than commendable," said Greg Zbylut, Boys Town Central Florida Executive Director. "Pam's devotion to spreading Give Kids The World's mission has helped many children's dreams come true."

Guests enjoyed a special presentation of SeaWorld's "Believe."

The prestigious Spirit of Youth Award, presented by Boys Town Central Florida, is awarded to individuals whose work, words and actions have had a profound impact on the lives and dreams of America's youth and their families. Past recipients of the Spirit of Youth Award in Central Florida include Jack Levine, Child Advocate; Pat Williams, former Orlando Magic General Manager; Bill and Sarah Demetree, Demetree Builders and Board of Trustee Founder, and Seminole County Sheriff Don Eslinger.

"Both Give Kids the World and Boys Town share a common spirit - to bring hope into the hearts of hurting children," said Father Steven Boes, Boys Town National Executive Director. "Their hurts can only be healed through the love of family and through a caring and compassionate hand - the same hand Father Flanagan extended to those first five children more than 90 years ago."

Amber, a 17-year-old in the Boys Town Central Florida residential program, spoke to the heart of the Boys Town vision, sharing how she has experienced the help, healing and hope the organization provides first-hand.

"Boys Town has inspired me to be who I wanna be, never give up, and never say 'never,'" said Amber, who attends Seminole Community College's Adult High School. "Boys Town is a family to me, and I am who I am because I got the love and moral support I needed to accomplish me being me."

During the awards, Boys Town Central Florida youth made a big "splash," taking part in a special showing of SeaWorld's premiere show, "Believe." The children assisted the trainer, and received their own whale-tail necklaces for their efforts. All of our youth in attendance then distributed whale tail necklaces to our guests as they exited the show.

Guests were also given a glimpse of the future for Boys Town Central Florida's Demetree Campus. The campus is in the midst of a 10-year expansion plan, with a groundbreaking scheduled for early 2007 on its first project - a new boy's shelter. Relocating the site's Sanford shelter will bring all Boys Town Central Florida programs to the Demetree Campus.

"We are grateful for the many groups and individuals that have supported us along the way," said Zbylut. "The City of Oviedo, Seminole County and the Demetree family, are just a few that have embraced us in our mission. I am also grateful for the support of a Board of Trustees that has championed our work and share our vision of future expansion."

Boys Town Central Florida and its Demetree Campus is the second oldest and largest Boys Town location outside of the National Headquarters in Boys Town, Neb.

Since opening in 1986, the Central Florida site has directly helped more than 14,100 children. In 2005, 1,315 children and 128 families received help, healing and hope from Boys Town Central Florida's Residential Services, Short-Term Residential Services, and Children and Families in Need of Services. Another 19,781 children and families in the state of Florida were indirectly assisted through the Boys Town National Hotline, Common Sense Parenting? and through outreach and professional training programs last year. In 2005, the campus was named after Mr. William Demetree, long-time Boys Town supporter and local philanthropist.