Gene Hensley, President, WorldMark Board of Directors.

In the March issue of Destinations, I introduced you to the WorldMark Charitable Giving Program, an opportunity for WorldMark owners to gift unused vacation credits for the benefit of selected charitable organizations. I am pleased to say that owners have responded with open hearts.

Since announcing the Charitable Giving Program, WorldMark owners have donated more than 227,000 credits to the program — incredible! These credits enable the recipient organizations to auction stays at WorldMark resorts as part of their fundraising efforts. The charities are ever grateful, guests purchasing these stays experience wonderful vacations and the proceeds from auctioning these stays directly benefit each charity.

Consistent with WorldMark owners’ commitments to supporting these organizations, your WorldMark by Wyndham staff are also dedicated to contributing to these beneficiaries. In April, a number of employees volunteered for and attended the Eastside Domestic Violence Program (EDVP) annual gala fundraiser. Anyone who has ever attended such an event knows how much work is required behind the scenes, and your WorldMark by Wyndham staff jumped right in to support this annual event.

Also, on June 20, 2009, more than 50 WorldMark by Wyndham employees, friends and family members volunteered their time and spent the day at Camp Korey (A Proposed Paul Newman Hole In The Wall Camp) preparing the camp to welcome lucky campers. This rewarding day was filled with joy as volunteers pitched in, doing everything from gardening, cleaning, moving, arts and crafts and anything else you may (or may not) think is required to get an 818-acre historic estate-property prepared for visitors. When asked to summarize the day, one volunteer simply said,“Rewarding!”

Recipient charities of the WorldMark Charitable Giving Program couldn’t be more pleased to be selected and are grateful to WorldMark owners for these gifted credits. If you wish to gift credits through the charitable giving program, you may choose to gift them to a general fund, which WorldMark will use for the organization most in need of the gift at that time, or you may designate your credits for one or more of the charities listed below:

Camp Korey (A Proposed Paul Newman Hole In The Wall Camp) Supports children with life-threatening or serious illnesses and provides them with a safe and friendly environment to have fun and just “be kids”

Eastside Domestic Violence Program (EDVP) Provides housing, support and education to victims of domestic violence

Make-A-Wish Foundation® of Alaska, Montana, Northern Idaho and Washington Grants wishes to children facing life-threatening illnesses

Susan G. Komen for the Cure® and the Komen Puget Sound Affiliate Supports breast cancer research and outreach programs

Remember, whether giving the gift of your time or your WorldMark credits, every little bit helps and could help change someone’s life.