GKTW Featured in New Movie, 'Letters to God,' Out Today

"Letters to God" is a new movie opening today, and the story is based on a Wish child named Tyler who visited Give Kids The World in 2004. Tyler's father, Patrick Doughtie, wrote the story for the film, which will hit 900 theaters across the U.S., said Susie Storey, communications director for GKTW.

The production set up shop for an entire day at Give Kids The World last May (4 a.m.-7 p.m.!), filming scenes for what ended up being the last seven minutes of the movie, Storey said. GKTW President Pam Landwirth made the final cut, as did a scene in the Village's theater; Landwirth is also featured in the behind-the-scenes promo video at the top of this page. Scenes were also shot at Universal Orlando, Storey said.

Doughtie was inspired to write the story, Storey said, when, following Tyler's death, Doughtie found a notebook his son had filled with "letters to God"—essentially prayers. For more about the movie's storyline, click here.

Storey said GKTW is definitely "proud to be a part of ["Letters to God"]." She said GKTW officials hope people who may never have heard of the Village before will be intrigued and want to find more about the organization after they leave the theater.

For more about "Letters to God" and see a preview, click here. For more about GKTW, click here. To find a showing near you, click here.