Gene Hensley, President, WorldMark Board of Directors.

When I was a young man in the 1960s, there was a call to service, not unlike the challenge the President of the United States has put to all Americans. This is a call to help those who are less fortunate or who may be temporarily experiencing difficulties with the economic challenges that face all of us today.

In response to owners who have asked how they can use WorldMark credits to support various non-profit causes, we are proud to announce the formation of The WorldMark Charitable Giving Program.

President Obama’s call to service could not be timelier. Not since the 1960s have we heard such a powerful call to service, and not since the 1930s has there been a greater need. Non-profit organizations are feeling the sting of diminishing funds due to cutbacks in both state and federal funding. These programs subsidize services the government would not otherwise afford to operate. The not-for-profit first responders are in as much need as the individuals they help transition through these difficult times.

The “Give Hope” program was established to provide WorldMark owners the opportunity to use their credits to support their choice of a local Pacific Northwest non-profit or a nationwide organization such as the Make-A-Wish Foundation. WorldMark resort stays funded by gifted owner credits are given to non-profit organizations to auction in support of their fundraising efforts. WorldMark is a very popular auction item for non-profit fundraising – just as you value your WorldMark ownership, so do non-owners.

It is our hope that this program will continue to extend its reach as a result of owner response. Our immediate focus is to support shelters and food banks through Hopelink, Eastside Domestic Violence Program, the Make-A-Wish Foundation, Susan G. Komen for the Cure and Camp Korey, a proposed Paul Newman Hole in the Wall Camp for terminally ill children.

As president of the WorldMark Board of Directors, I will personally oversee this program. While your gift of credits will not be tax deductible, let’s still work together through our wonderful Club to “Give Hope” to others. Together, we can do our part as good stewards to the communities that support our Club by gifting WorldMark credits in any amount you can afford.

Thank you for your kind generosity.