Timeshare Resorts and the Vacation Ownership Industry Honor Veterans in Many Ways, Part II
Sunday, November 11, 2012
Although tomorrow is the day the US observes as the Veterans Day holiday, Veterans Day is officially, today, November 11. Since 1919, when it was known as Armistice Day, the US has been recognizing the men and women who served our country in military service. Today’s blog looks at what some timeshare resorts and others in the vacation ownership industry are doing in tribute to our veterans. This is Part II of a series. (See: Timeshare Resorts and Timeshare Developers Honor Veterans in Many Ways, Part I)
Interval International Runs “Treats for Troops”
Through bake sale events called Treats for Troops, Miami-based employees of Interval International raised nearly $4,000 to benefit the Operation Any Soldier program. Held at Interval’s member services center and Interval’s corporate headquarters, this fundraising effort will be used help underwrite the cost of shipping custom care packages throughout the year to wounded and deployed service men and women.
Interval member Deborah Powers-Holloway and her husband Milton are the founders of the nonprofit organization known as Steel Magnolias. Through Steel Magnolias, more than 250 travel certificates have been awarded for seven-day stays at Interval member timeshare resorts over the last two years.
Although not affiliated with Veterans Day in the US, Interval International employees in Europe honor their military, too. In London, Interval International employees manage a program called Help for Heroes, which is a charity that provides recovery services throughout the United Kingdom for military members and their families who have experienced life-changing injuries or illness. Interval International also donates weeks to the Resort Development Organisation (RDO), the trade association for vacation ownership in Europe. These weeks are used as part of the Give Us Time program that supports British forces in Afghanistan.
Treats for Troops from Wyndham Vacation Ownership Timeshare Resorts
Wyndham Vacation Ownership (WVO) supports military reservists in the US by honoring their employment after they are deployed. In recognition of this, the Missouri Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Committee (ESGR), an agency of the U.S. Department of Defense, awarded Wyndham Vacation Ownership the Above and Beyond award, which honors Wyndham Vacation Ownership as an employer who provides exceptional support for military employees by exceeding the legal requirements for granting leave.
RCI’s Armed Forces Vacation Club (AFVC)
One of the largest military vacation clubs in the world, the RCI Armed Forces Vacation Club is holding its Great Appreciation Vacation Giveaway. This promotion, which runs through December 14, 2012, gives away a vacation every day to those who go to: http://www.AFVClub.com/Appreciation and complete and submit the registration form. Applicants must meet the following criteria of being a legal resident of one of the fifty US states (including District of Columbia); at least 21 years old at the time of entry, and meet one of the following additional eligibility requirements:
a. Is a member of the Uniformed Services or an adult dependent (Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, and Navy; active duty and both active and inactive reserve and National Guard);
b. Is a foreign exchange service member on permanent duty with the Department of Defense (the “DoD”);
c. Is a retired or former member of the Uniformed Services or an adult dependent (Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, Navy);
d. Is a civilian employee of the DoD (appropriated, non-appropriated, or retired) or an adult dependent;
e. Is an American Red Cross personnel serving overseas with the U.S. military;
f. Is a DoD Dependent School teacher or an adult dependent; or
g. Is a disabled American Veteran @ 100% with 2765 ID Card.
A grand prize vacation package is being awarded along with Visa gift cards and Resort Vacation Certificates.
To learn more about other special vacation programs that may be available to active military and/or veterans, read “The Timeshare Industry Celebrates Veterans Day” available in the Newsroom of VacationBetter.org. You can also contact individual timeshare resorts, your timeshare exchange company, or the members services center for vacation ownership companies, and ask what programs may be offered.
