A record-high 50 low-income, medically fragile children from Miami-Dade and Broward counties embarked on a one-in-a-lifetime trip to Walt Disney World. The children, many of whom are in wheelchairs, and their family members and caretakers were transported in three buses with volunteers, nurses, and therapists. The trip was entirely free for the children and their families thanks to the generosity of the Li’l Abner Foundation, which coordinates “Disney on Wheels” each year.
Disney on Wheels allows South Florida children and their families a chance to experience Disney magic and create forever-lasting memories. In previous years, this event brought an average of 16 children to Walt Disney World. This year, the team brought 50 children to experience the Disney magic.
Established in 2017 by Li’l Abner Foundation Founder Raul Rodriguez, this event took an entire year to plan, and it would not be possible without the help of over 100 volunteers including nurses, therapists, paramedics, police officers, and friends who give their time to ensure all of the children remain safe on the journey. Mr. Rodriguez, who is also managing member of CREI Holdings, says he wanted to make even more of a difference this year and do everything he could to give back to as many children as possible.
Mr. Rodriguez, who is also the founder of Miami-based National Health Transport, found inspiration for Disney On Wheels when transporting medically fragile children to and from Prescribed Pediatric Extended Care (PPEC) centers. One day, he was visiting one of the PPEC centers when Mickey Mouse came to visit the kids. A PPEC employee told Mr. Rodriguez how much the kids wanted to go to Disney World, but their dream was logistically impossible.
“I knew this would be challenging, but my whole team rallied together, and we were able to make history,” Mr. Rodriguez said. “We do it because of those children. When you see the joy on their faces when they arrive at the park, it is heartwarming. Seeing their experience changes you. Considering their conditions and that they wouldn’t otherwise be able to go to Disney, granting them this dream makes all the effort worthwhile.”
Members of the community were invited to say goodbye to the kids as the buses loaded and departed from Miami’s Dolphin Mall to Orlando, FL, on Friday, March 1. The buses were escorted by police officers and ambulances to ensure the safety and care of the children, who spent a night at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa and visited the Magic Kingdom on Saturday, March 2. On Sunday, March 3, the kids had a magical breakfast with Disney characters at the hotel before they headed back to Miami.
About the Li’l Abner Foundation:
Founded in 2009, the Li’l Abner Foundation has grown in the number of programs and participants offered, moved to a new and better location, and increased its beneficial impact on the community. The foundation, founded by Raul F. Rodriguez, offers programs such as archery, taekwondo, and dance classes to more than 20,000 residents of the City of Sweetwater. It also offers scholastic programs, including scholarships for children to attend Belen Jesuit Preparatory School from 6th to 12th grades and scholarships for adults to attend Florida International University for up to 5 years and earn a degree. From the beginning, Raul’s goals have been improving the lives of residents in the community. Raul is an avid entrepreneur and philanthropist. He is CEO of National Health Transport, a medical and non-medical transportation company; and CEO of CREI Holdings, an affordable and workforce housing development company. Under Raul’s leadership, CREI completed Li’l Abner I Apartments, featuring 87 affordable apartments in Sweetwater. Li’l Abner II Apartments recently celebrated its ribbon-cutting ceremony as it prepares to welcome residents. The senior multifamily development offers 244 affordable and workforce housing units. Plans for Li’l Abner III are underway as well, bringing the firm’s total affordable and workforce housing units to over 650.
CREI also manages the Li’l Abner Mobile Home Park.
