Grandmother Volunteers 500+ Hours for Critically Ill Kids

A grandmother in Kissimmee, Florida, is turning grief into joy for hundreds of critically ill children, one carousel ride at a time.

Donna Miller and her husband Jeff have volunteered at Give Kids the World for eight years, helping provide free weeklong vacations to families facing the unimaginable. The nonprofit village offers everything from a century-old carousel to family dinners, all designed to let sick children forget about hospitals and treatments for a while.

Miller has logged over 500 hours at the village, usually stationed at the carousel where she watches young faces light up with laughter. "They are the heroes," she said. "The fact that what they are going through, and they still have a smile on their face."

Her dedication springs from a deeply personal place. In 2012, her grandson Alex visited as a "Wish Kid" himself. The family watched him receive the same joy and care Miller now helps provide to others.

"He was here in 2012, and just the way he was treated," Miller recalled. "We got to come over and eat dinner with him. They were so marvelous with him."

Alex is no longer here, but his grandparents honor his memory through service. Katie Kear, Assistant Director of Volunteer Services, calls volunteers like the Millers "the heartbeat of the village."

"Donna is awesome. Donna is out here all the time," Kear said. "We couldn't do it without Donna."

Why This Inspires

Give Kids the World runs entirely on volunteer power, transforming ordinary people into miracle workers for families in crisis. Miller's story shows how personal loss can become a gift to others, creating a ripple of hope that extends far beyond one family's experience.

The Millers believe Alex would be proud of their work. For Donna, the joy goes both directions. "I feel like I'm doing something in his honor," she said. "I'm getting just as much out of it as the kids are."