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.

Flashback To The 90s In Celebration of Kidd's Kids 25th Anniversary

Kidd’s Kids is celebrating its 25th Anniversary with a one-of-a-kind party that you won’t want to miss. The New Kidd’s Kids On the Block Party will begin at 7 p.m. Saturday, July 30, at the Empire Room, located at 1225 N. Riverfront Blvd., in the Dallas Design District. Live music performed by ‘90s cover band The Clinton Years will get the party rocking, and a special performance by Caroline Cradick and Radio DJs will close out the night with a bang. 90s attire is encouraged. Come hungry – and thirsty – as great food and drinks will be provided by Nine Band Brewing, Fuzzy’s Tacos, Chili’s and Glazier’s. “It’s crazy to think that this year marks the 25th anniversary of Kidd’s Kids!” said Caroline Cradick, Kidd’s daughter and executive director of the Kraddick Foundation. “My Dad would be proud, and he’d certainly want to throw a party to celebrate.” Caroline has a great post on her blog if you need a reminder of 90s vernacular to use throughout the evening. Tickets are now on sale for just $100 for adults 21+, and include entertainment, food and adult beverages. All proceeds will be donated to the Kraddick Foundation to help fund the annual Kidd’s Kids trips that have sent more than 1,000 special-needs children and their families to Walt Disney World over the years. To purchase tickets, visit KiddsKids.com.

Bread Winners hosts Kidd's Kids Fundraiser on August 6

Kidd Kraddick's death mourned by music's biggest stars

In this photo provided by Desiree Cotton Photography, the Kidd Kraddick
in the morning team posed for a photo Saturday in New Orleans.

Around 10:30 tonight, news broke of the untimely death of beloved radio personality David "Kidd" Kraddick from a brain aneurism cardiac arrest* at the age of 53. "He was in New Orleans at a golf tournament organized to raise money for his beloved Kidd’s Kids charity,” KISS-FM owner Clear Channel said in a news release. "He died doing what he loved..." He is survived by his daughter, Caroline.

Kraddick moved from Florida to Dallas in 1984 and took over the night shift on the newly formatted top-40 station KEGL (The Eagle) and established a following. KEGL changed formats from Top 40 pop/rock to Modern Rock in 1992 and Kraddick was released. After eight months off the air, he was hired to a morning position at Top 40 KHKS-106.1 "Kiss-FM".

Kidd Kraddick in the Morning was born as a local radio program, and has survived through numerous cast changes. The two longest-running cast members are Kellie Rasberry and Big Al Mack.  The show is nationally syndicated in more than 75 markets and the American Forces Radio Network.

In 1991, Kraddick founded the 501(c)3 charity, The Kraddick Foundation, which is dedicated to helping impact the lives of children who have terminal or chronic illnesses or are accident victims. It consists of "Kidd's Kids," which takes a planeload of these children (age 5-11) and their families to Walt Disney World for 5 days every November. In 2010, the charity grew to include "The Glamour Squad" which visits hospitals around the country and provides a day of pampering inside the hospital for teenage girls. Listeners of the Kidd Kraddick in the Morning show donate money one day a year on "Kidd's Kids Day" to help fund these projects.