A group of seniors will travel to Kissimmee, Fla., to volunteer with children facing life-threatening diseases and their families. The Give Kids the World trip, planned by the National Honor Society as a Senior Service project, will be at the Give Kids the World village, an 84-acre nonprofit resort that provides cost-free vacations for families in need.

Accompanied by math teacher Timothy Walsh and science teacher Daniela Colabelli, students on the week-long trip, which is partnered with the Make-a-Wish Foundation, will work four days in the village from early hours to late at night. The seniors are expected to work hands-on with the children, including serving in the kitchen, working in the amusement park, delivering complimentary pizzas to families in the village and more.

The advisers said they hope the volunteers consider the difficulties that the children face and see a sense of gratitude implemented into their own lives.

“I am hoping that when they return back to West Essex they will be grateful for the life they live and recognize how fortunate they are,” Mr. Walsh said. “The volunteers will see smiles of children who haven’t smiled in months.”

According to Mr. Walsh, who visited the Give Kids the World village in high school, the fun and relaxed environment will give volunteering a new meaning for the seniors.

“I think it will be a humbling experience,” senior Dylan Gallion said. “These kids remain optimistic and it puts it into perspective that our problems most likely aren’t that serious.”

Upon return, the students will make a promotional video to encourage next year’s seniors to attend the trip. When they get to the village in June, they will document their service as a video diary and be able to show viewers the impact their service will have on these families.

“We hope to spark curiosity in this service project for future years with their video and expand our horizons on helping families less fortunate than ours,” Ms. Colabelli said.

To help fund the transportation to the Give Kids the World village, the National Honor Society
has created a GoFundMe page, as well as SaveAround Coupon Books, $25 each with an overall value of $5,000.