Caroline Kraddick Launches New Teen Trip For Kidd's Kids

Caroline Kraddick and Hoyt, a Kidd's Kid trip recipient (Jan. 2017) photo c/o Kidd's Kids

Twenty seven years ago, Kidd's Kids was founded by legendary radio personality David "Kidd" Kraddick, as a tribute to his daughter. Before Caroline Kraddick was born in 1990, doctors told Kraddick and his then-wife, Carol, that their baby might be born with a twisted femur and be unable to walk. Kraddick has said that he struck a deal with God that if his baby was able to walk, he would use his radio show to help other kids. Caroline was born healthy, and her father kept his end of the bargain. For the past 25 years, Kidd’s Kids has taken children ages 5-12 years old with life-altering conditions on the vacation of a lifetime to Walt Disney World to create magical memories. When Kidd passed away is 2013, his daughter Caroline stepped in to lead the charity.

Cynthia Smoot and Caroline Kraddick, March 2017
photo: Cynthia Smoot

Caroline says she has long envisioned hosting a similar trip for teenagers, and this June her dream will become reality with the first annual Kidd’s Kids Teen Trip to Give Kids The World Village in Orlando. Teens ages 13-18 years old who are diagnosed with a life-threatening condition, and their families, will enjoy an all-expenses-paid vacation to the resort, including three days at Walt Disney World, two days at Universal Orlando and one day at Sea World Orlando.

“I can’t express how excited I am to expand the Kidd’s Kids program beyond our amazing annual trip in November, and to bring another life-changing experience to an older group of kids and their families,” said Caroline Kraddick, CEO and Chief Happiness Officer of Kidd’s Kids. Give Kids The World Village is a 79-acre, non-profit “storybook” resort that exists solely for the fulfillment of wishes granted to children through a partnering wish-granting organization. The child and his/her family are provided accommodations, meals, entertainment and theme park tickets to the world-famous attractions of Central Florida.

2016 DIFFA/Dallas Style Council Ambassadors Announced at Burgers & Burgundy

Photos c/o of Shana Anderson and Joseph Brewster


On Friday, October 7, celebrity chefs from across the great state of Texas headed for the Ron Kirk Pedestrian Bridge for the eighth annual Burgers & Burgundy event hosted by Terri Provencal & Chef John Tesar benefiting DIFFA/ Dallas. Guests mingled on the bridge with the Dallas skyline as their backdrop as they sipped on cocktails and wine, listened to festive live music and sampled a wide variety of mouth-watering burgers created by John Tesar (Knife), Brian Luscher (Luscher’s Red Hots & The Grape), Jermaine Brown (Julia Pearl), Casey Thompson (Celebrity Chef), David Fingerman (Madrina), Sharon Van Meter (3015 at Trinity Groves), Blaine Staniford (Grace), Jacob Williamson (Five Sixty by Wolfgang Puck), Rodman Shields (Common Table). Repel the Robot and The Please, Please Me, revved up the crowd with their upbeat songs, and attendees were entertained by local artists. The night also featured a silent auction of restaurant experiences, grills, and two designer dog houses, created by Gensler, this auction directly benefited DIFFA/Dallas.

Dallas Dweller: Caroline Kraddick

Although I've known of Caroline Kraddick for 20+ years, I didn't actually meet her until this past Spring when I was seated at her table at DIFFA. (BTW it's Caro-line, not Cara-lyn) I was instantly smitten with her - she has an infectious laugh, a beautiful smile and is one of those people that you are just drawn to because of her warmth and charm. Radio DJ Kidd Kraddick ruled Dallas airwaves for over 25 years until his death in 2013. Growing up, most people knew Caroline as "Kidd Kraddick’s daughter." Listeners got to know his only child from a radio bit called "Bath Time with Caroline" that Kidd started when she was around three or four-years-old, where he would interview her while she was taking a bath. She would tell stories and sing songs and was just generally adorable, as most 3-4 year olds are. Caroline attended Oklahoma City University and got a degree in musical theatre. "I’d always wanted to be on Broadway but my self-esteem had taken a serious blow after not being cast in any of my college shows. Like … ever. But, I’m funny. And acting comes easily to me," says Caroline. "So my new plan was to work for a while, save some money and then move to Chicago to pursue improv. My dream was to be on Second City and SNL. I was sure I’d spend my life performing on a stage, but sometimes God has other plans!"