The Something mAAgic Foundation And American Airlines Provide Weeklong Vacation To Children With Life-Threatening Medical Conditions

19th Annual Event to Take 36 Families on One-of-a-Kind Vacation

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Sep 25, 2014, 09:00 ET

FORT WORTH, Texas, Sept. 25, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- The Something mAAgic Foundation^®and American Airlines are joining to grant children with life-threatening medical conditions and their families a weeklong vacation in Orlando, Fla. Tomorrow, 36 courageous children will set out on an adventure with the Something mAAgic Foundation's 19^th annual mAAgic^sm flight.

These deserving families will participate in this year's mAAgic flight to Orlando, Fla., where they will lodge at the incredible Give Kids The World Village^®, a 70-acre "storybook" resort in Kissimmee, Fla. that neighbors popular Orlando attractions. The American Airlines Kids In Need^sm program graciously provides mileage for children and their families, and the Something mAAgic Foundation funds all other aspects of the families' vacations, including taxes for the airline tickets, rental cars and lodging at Give Kids The World Village. To date, more than 435 children have participated in this annual event.

Twenty-five airports throughout the American Airlines network will celebrate with the children as they depart from their home cities. American Airlines employee volunteers will work together to create themed send-off celebrations, customized to each child's favorite things. Rows of cheering onlookers, airport volunteers and families will meet and greet the children as they depart for Orlando International Airport and a "mAAgical" experience.

"Each year, I am amazed by the extraordinary, selfless commitment of all those involved in making this event possible," said Marilyn Devoe, American Airlines VP Hub Operations/Miami and Something mAAgic Advisory Board Member. "The smiles and pure joy that you witness on the children's faces is truly inspiring and something you never forget."

During their stay at Give Kids The World Village (GKTW), the families will enjoy accommodations in their own villas and meals onsite at the Gingerbread House Restaurant and Katie's Kitchen. The Village includes a number of wonderful entertainment options for the children, including a wheelchair-accessible pool and splash pad, an Ice Cream Palace, a wishing well that burps, a dinosaur miniature golf course and the world's largest and only life-sized version of the beloved children's game CANDY LAND.

"We are so grateful to the Something mAAgic Foundation and look forward to welcoming these precious 36 children and their families," said GKTW President Pam Landwirth. "The American Airlines employees, volunteers and family members are helping us give the wonderful gift of happiness that inspires hope found throughout Give Kids The World Village."

"We have developed a wonderful relationship with Give Kids The World Village over the last 16 years," said Something mAAgic Foundation President Krista Leap. "We're so honored to celebrate with the children and their families and provide them with an unforgettable flight and a great week in Orlando."

Last year, more than 900 employees from around the world gave their time to support mAAgic flight. This year, mAAgic flight is sponsoring children from the United States, Argentina, Brazil, Panama and Peru.

To learn more about the Something mAAgic Foundation or to help create magical memories through volunteer opportunities or a financial contribution, please visit www.somethingmaagic.org. Follow the Something mAAgic Foundation on Facebook and Twitter, and follow along with the airport events with the hashtag #mAAgicflight.

About Something mAAgic Foundation^®
The Something mAAgic Foundation^® Inc., is a non-profit organization comprised of volunteers who are current and former employees of American Airlines. We support the missions of Give Kids The World Village^® and other children's organizations to create mAAgical memories for children with chronic or life-threatening medical conditions. For more information, visit www.somethingmaagic.org.

American Airlines Kids In Need^sm Program
The American Airlines Kids In Need^sm program provides worldwide support for children and their families, as well as for organizations dedicated to improving the quality of life for children with needs for medical, educational, social services issues and/or for those that heighten public awareness of children's issues. Beneficiaries of the program include individuals as well as organizations with needs related to medical, educational and social concerns, and/or causes that heighten public awareness of children's issues. For more information, visit www.aa.com/kids.

About American Airlines Group
American Airlines Group (NASDAQ: AAL) is the holding company for American Airlines and US Airways. Together with wholly owned and third-party regional carriers operating as American Eagle and US Airways Express, the airlines operate an average of nearly 6,700 flights per day to 339 destinations in 54 countries from its hubs in Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas/Fort Worth, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Philadelphia, Phoenix and Washington, D.C. The American Airlines AAdvantage and US Airways Dividend Miles programs allow members to earn miles for travel, vacation packages, car rentals, hotel stays and everyday purchases. Members of both programs can redeem miles for tickets as well as upgrades to First Class and Business Class. In addition, AAdvantage members can redeem miles for vacation packages, car rentals, hotel stays and retail products. American is a founding member of the oneworld alliance, whose members and members-elect serve nearly 1,000 destinations with 14,250 daily flights to 150 countries. Connect with American on Twitter @AmericanAir and Facebook.com/AmericanAirlines and follow US Airways on Twitter @USAirways.

About Give Kids The World
Give Kids The World Village (GKTW) is a 70-acre, non-profit resort in Central Florida that creates magical memories for children with life-threatening illnesses and their families. GKTW provides accommodations at its whimsical resort, donated attractions tickets, meals and more for a weeklong, cost-free fantasy vacation. With the help of many generous individuals, corporations and partnering wish-granting organizations, Give Kids The World has welcomed more than 130,000 families from all 50 states and over 75 countries. For our latest news, visit Twitter, Facebook and YouTube.

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SOURCE American Airlines