Press
Release: Time4Sharing.comJune 26, 2003
LEBANON -- Time4Sharing.com, a charitable movement that uses volunteers who have timeshare jobs to empower the underprivileged children, recently helped bringing life needed water to children of Ethiopia by helping UNICEF - Slovakia and the informal association of the Foreign Chambers of Commerce in Slovakia in organizing the 2nd Annual Garden Party the charitable movement.
The two day event, held in the gardens of the Bratislava Castle, in the capital of Slovak Republic, was split into the evening part, with the VIP charitable auction and the afternoon part organized for children and families. The revenues from the VIP charitable auction were devoted to support water and sanitary programs (installation of the water pumps, irrigation systems and the water disinfection) of Ethiopia.
Among many respectable sponsors and the
highest government representatives (the Slovak Prime Minister and National
Council Chairman of the Slovak Republic) of the VIP garden party was one
of the main partners of the event, Platinum International s.r.o, who has
always been the biggest supporters and the volunteer of Time4Sharing.com
movement. Platinum CEO Mike Tolan and the Slovak Prime Minister Dzurinda
led the bidding for the auctioning of timeshare holidays in the World
Class Vacation Club to the VIP`s, which was also broadcasted on national
television.
A very interesting and rich program for children and parents followed the next day. The afternoon was full of the opportunities to learn new interesting crafts at the creative workshops and to enjoy singing, dancing, playacting performances by children and guests. But by far, one of the most noticed participant of the afternoon event was Time4Sharing`s mascot Boomerang. Boomerang, the kangaroo, was followed and admired by the rivers of children, over 500, comprised of all the nationalities and races present as it hopped around bringing laughter, joy and sweets. He brought further international exotics to the happy occasion.
Time4Sharing thanks all its supporters, volunteers and followers for the participation on this noble-minded project and promises that will support and continue organizing such like events in the future. Volunteers from Malta, Croatia, Usa and Britain joined the Czech and Slovak volunteers along with staff from Timeshare Job Finder in Europe. Time4sharing.com calls on the industry to log on and get involved.
Time4Sharing.com,
the web based charitable movement that solicits time-share professional
jobs, inaugurated the opening of Animal City, the first animal refuge in
Lebanon.
Founded by Lebanese entrepreneur Mrs. Viviane Boulos Tolan, Major Shareholder of Platinum International, Time4Sharing.com has enjoyed three glorious years in event organization for the less fortunate children, offering back to societies around the world the chance to enjoy the fun and luxury that are offered to time-share holiday owners all around the world.
Sixty orphans from "St. Vincent of Paul" participated in this unique event and introduced Animal City to the children of Lebanon. Being an animal refuge and not a zoo, every animal had its different story, and the children of St. Vincent of Paul were out to discover each and every one of them.
The day started with a warm welcome at Sun City Resort, where volunteers had prepared different challenging games that exhibited ability, strength and fitness. In no time the playground was filled with shouts of joy, especially when Boomerang appeared hopping in his all-new athletic personality. He was ready to take up the challenge.
After the games, the children were treated to some appetizers courtesy of Master Potato Chips and Patisserie Candy. It was quite capturing when all the children left some of their chips to be fed to the animals. The kids' impatience grew stronger as time got closer for their first encounter with the animals.
Apart from the amazement on the faces of the children at the sight of the animals, the tour in animal city was very educational. The guides explained about the living habits of each animal. "One couldn't avoid hearing the kids' shouts of surprise each time they passed next to a new animal or heard the story of each animal." Said Mrs. Viviane Boulos Tolan.
The day ended with awarding the children with Time4Sharing Appreciation Certificates, after which they were escorted to the busses by all volunteers for one great moment of Goodbye filled with promises of each child to draw the animal of his choice.
Time4Sharing.com is made up of timeshare professionals worldwide who have joined together to empower less fortunate children in communities where they live and work. First started by members of Platinum International, it was envisioned to give underprivileged children the opportunity to enjoy a day of dreamy luxury, a taste that members of Timeshare Clubs enjoy throughout the world.
The movement, since its inception has created events for more than 4,500 children from 7 nations. Most of these events took place in Lebanon, Bahrain, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia, reflecting Platinum International's major activities in these regions. This year with the opening of Platinum Internationals new offices in Malta, Time4Sharing.com has already started preparing the schedule of events to take place there.
Alyah Rafeh and Vivian Boulos-Tolan display a check for $1,000 made out
to Christel House
Time4sharing.com, the worldwide web based timeshare charitable movement that
creates magical days for less fortunate children, is pleased to announce the
winner of the "Imagine a Great Day for Kids" competition.
Contestants were asked to submit their ideas to the charity, which would
generate interest in Resort companies around the world to sponsor a fun day to
empower less fortunate children in their own communities.
The winner was to receive a $1000.00 donation, made out on their behalf, to the Christel House charity.
The contest was developed by the founders of Time4sharing.com to bridge an alliance with marketing persons around the world and to send a clear message that the two charities can and will work together in the future. Time4sharing.com only accepts donations of "Time", not outside money, from its army of timeshare professionals who volunteer their free and valuable time for kids for a day.
Timeshare professionals simply register themselves on the web site and become tied to one of the strongest community movements in the industry's three-decade history.
Submissions were received from Brazil, Malta, Germany, U.K., Singapore, Bali, Africa, to name just a few, including entries from members of the GSO (Global Sales Organization) and the newly formed IATP (International Association of Timeshare Professionals)
The committee of events coordination received all of the entries and selected the winning entry based on its thoughtfulness and sensitivity to children's needs.
Sally Jo
McKean, a Timeshare Legal Consultant from SoJo Enterprises of Seattle,
Washington, won the "Imagine a Magic Day for Kids" competition!
"It was a tough choice to just pick one winner but Sally Jo McKean stood out from the rest of the contestants as her ideas not only included the values of timeshare such as fun, luxury and excitement but they also offered an educational value", commented Time4sharing.com founder Vivian Boulos- Tolan
Time4sharing.com will donate $1,000 in Sally Jo McKean's name in honor of her creative idea! Ms. McKean is being awarded one year's worth of advertising on The Timeshare Beat, compliments of President and CEO Rod Hackman.
Ms. McKean will also be receiving the official Time4sharing.com honorary badge and volunteer's cap! Her idea not only works well, but also proves how easily and economically other resort companies around the world could sponsor a day at virtually no cost to them at all. "Its simple and easy and absolutely feasible," said Alyah Rafeh, Special Events Coordinator for Time4sharing.com
"Sponsored Events in communities where timeshare companies operate will raise awareness that orphaned kids are people too, love to have fun, and who to better promote it than the fun merchants who sell and market Timeshare. We have had the pleasure of empowering over 2,500 children since our inception only last year." added Miss Rafeh.
As a special treat, Time4sharing.com is pleased to announce that we will work to make this magic idea come to life in many various markets with new resort partners who may wish us to assist them to execute this noble plan very soon.
Congratulations Ms. McKean! Thanks for taking the time to help us empower the lives of the youth! Your idea is enclosed in this release for all to read!
Winning Idea! "K.I.S.S."
"Find a local "woodsy" area - park, local nature walk, etc., and go on a scavenger hunt. Prior to the walk make out a list of things to see on your walk, i.e., chipmunks, Fir Tree, Cedar Tree, different types of flowers, rocks, ducks, geese - whatever you might find, you really should scope it out first - and provide "prizes" for who found what or how many but make sure everyone gets a prize, even if all they found was dirt. :) Then, stop at an ice cream parlor and discuss what they found and how it affects our environment and how we can protect it - what they can personally do to protect that little piece of environment."
Submitted by Sally Jo McKean
With over 230 disabled athletes from nine charitable institutions in Bahrain, volunteers from Time4sharing.com were busy making sure that every participant had the assistance required to accomplish each game!
All of the Time4sharing.com volunteers comprised mainly of members of the Global Sales Organization (GSO) and Platinum International were full of energy as they eagerly greeted and assisted the athletes at the Al Ahli Sports Hall early Thursday morning.
Viviane Boulos Tolan, a major shareholder of Platinum International, founded Time4sharing.com with a goal in mind. "In timeshare we are accustomed to selling vacation time of luxury and enjoyment to our clients. I decided that it would be beneficial to actually give some of our personal time the focused on the values of luxury and enjoyment to the underprivileged children in the communities we live in."
Thus, Time4sharing.com came to pass its first event in November 2000 in Prague, and since then has hosted over 12 successful events in Beirut, Prague, and Bahrain with happenings planned for Thailand and the US.
The athletes were all presented with a Time4sharing.com certificate with its motto branded into a seal, which reads, "He who tries is a Winner"
Platinum International sponsored a raffle drawing for all participants and spectators. The winner of 7 nights accommodation in Lebanon, Goa, or the USA was Mr. Essam Mohammed Salman Kamal. Congratulations were in order as he gratefully accepted the prize!
Time4sharing.com is always looking for new projects, sponsors and volunteers.
Anyone interested in any further information should write to Email: Info@time4sharing.com or in Bahrain contact Jackie Morais on tel: 540 151
The Bus of Goodwill took over 15 volunteers from Time4sharing.com to Baskinta Lebanon today to greet 30 very eager
children from the Besancon Orphanage. On the descent to the Fouad Chehab Stadium, the children sang songs and planned
their game strategy for their highly anticipated game of football with the Racing Team of
Jounieh. Time4sharing.com successfully planned its 4th event in Lebanon. This international charitable movement has been spreading its wings into Bahrain, the Czech Republic, and soon to be in Thailand and the US. The most important aspect of this philanthropic movement founded by Lebanese entrepreneur, Vivian Boulos Tolan, is to donate time to the underprivileged children of our respective communities.
Saturday was full of out door activity. The orphan children aged between 9-14 were involved in the training process the Racing Team football team undergoes. Platinum International the official sponsor for the Racing team also sponsored a lunch goody bag for all the children. After lunch, the children were able to come down to the field and play their own football game as well as Ballon Chassez.
As a special treat, Time4sharing.com flew in their official mascot, Boomerang the Happy Kangaroo, from Bahrain where he was helping volunteers there with another charity event. The children began cheering for Boomerang shouting "Boomer, Boomer, Boomerang!" After assisting the Racing Team with their football training Boomerang came to greet the orphan children with hugs and high fives! "Because Time4sharing.com is planning another event in the Czech Republic Boomerang had to get on
another plane and visit the orphan children there. He will definitely be back in Lebanon to help Time4sharing.com with their next event," says Viviane Boulos Tolan.
Overall the children, happy, yet exhausted had a fun – filled day out with Time4sharing.com volunteers.
Time 4 Sharing.com, the philanthropic organization made of timeshare professionals who donate their time to the less fortunate,
has organized their tenth worldwide event since the movement began."Time4sharing.com decided to fly in the 6" tall Kangaroo named, Boomerang the 'Happy Kangaroo' (the official Mascot) from the Time4sharing.com fun Headquarters to attend this very special occasion. Upon arriving the children welcomed Boomerang with open arms!" added Alyah Rafeh, coordinator of the event, "shouting Boomer ,Boomer, Boomer-Rang!"
"Boomerang has a great deal of symbolism both in the pouch which nurtures and carries a child also the idea the of what you send out may come back" she added.
Saturday May 19th, 220 children packed into five Time4sharing.com Goodwill Buses from the Hope Institute of Bahrain for the mentally challenged, the guests of honor for a fun filled day hosted by the international charitable movement, Time4sharing.com. The convoy of buses paraded through the streets of theCapital with the banners of Time4 Sharing.com getting a lot of attention, especially from local TV Crews.
Founded by Lebanese born Viviane Boulos-Tolan, in November 2000, Time4sharing.com is a web and regionally based charitable movement that has also held events in Central Europe and the Middle East with happenings planned for Thailand,India and the USA.
Since the charitable movement began, it has helped to place a smile on the faces of hundreds of children around the world in the name of Timeshare.
Over 50 volunteers ,mainly from Platinum International of Bahrain and Beirut, and several members of the Global Sales Organization (GSO) from the USA, England,Malta, Egypt and India took the "Buses of Goodwill" to the Hope Institute to greet the children aged between 3-15 years.
The children were presented with Time4sharing.com gifts. Following the many hugs Boomerang had to offer to the children, Lebanese Volunteer and Manager of Platinum International, Marwan Barsa, offered and planted the official Cedar tree of Lebanon as a symbol of friendship and sharing between the two nations. The tree was planted in an area of the Garden at the Hope Institute where the children will be able to care for and monitor the tree.
The event included a variety of exciting activities such as a live Dolphin show, a special character show, and a lunch sponsored by a local food chain.
During the Dolphin show, Boomerang helped the children learn how to look after a large sea mammal. They were entertained to a spectacular appearance by "Jackie and Nolla" the Dolphins, who soon became fast friends with fellow star Boomerang.
Shortly after, the children rode the Bus of Goodwill to a local Burger King where they were treated to a meal and special character show.
Time4sharing.com provided the children with coloring sketches of Boomerang which will be auctioned off at a fund raising charity event to be set at a later date under the patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Sabika Al – Khalifa of Bahrain, a member of the Royal Family of the Island Kingdom
Commenting on the success of the day, one of the volunteers, Mario Galea,Managing Director of Platinum International said, "Time4sharing.com works globally, with the sole purpose of enhancing the lives of less fortunate children and helping them to discover their dreams, by providing them with one of life's most sought after commodities – our time. It was heart warming to see all the children truly enjoy themselves and there were plenty of smiles and laughter from our dedicated volunteers as well. The activity boosted the awareness that Timeshare nurtures fun!"
All the kids were presented with the official Time4sharing.com Certificate of Acheivement for participating in the event, which highlights the phrase"He who tries is a Winner."
The first event held by Time4sharing.com took place in Prague and it involved young orphans adopting a baby kangaroo.
Time4shairng.com will be involved in another event due to take place in Bahrain on May 31st. It will be a fun – filled day of activities for 400 children from the Special Olympics Society along with 200 volunteers from various different organizations including Platinum International who will be sponsoring the event.
Madame Boulos-Tolan repeated her call to other resorts and companies around the world to get involved and give back to the communities where they live and work.
Time4sharing.com has also recently announced a competition to other resorts around the world to offer ideas on how they can organize a magic day for kids in need. The winner will receive $1,000 which Time4Sharing.com will donate to Christel House on their behalf. Details of the competition are on the website.
Time4sharing.com only accepts donations of personal time from timeshare professionals to work in these activities. You can sign up to be a volunteer on the website and be informed about all worldwide events.
Time4sharing.com has several events in the near horizon in the works thanks to caring volunteers who are concerned about the people that matter in their community.
"It's all Good!" said a smiling Mike Tolan, CEO of Platinum at the closing of the event, their tenth successful mission in six months. "We need more volunteers to keep this fire going, because this is magic!" he added.
TIME 4
SHARING.COM, a philanthropic movement made up of Timeshare professionals around the world that
donate their personal time to empower the less fortunate, sponsored a week in the mountains on the north of the Czech
Republic for 25 less fortunate children attending the "Special school" in Pracska Street in Prague 9,in the Czech Republic, in the
last week of March this year.
Twenty-Five children, aged 6 to 14 years, spent a week residing in a typical mountain chalet, learning how to ski and taking part
in different fun activities that they have so little chance to do in their everyday lives. Children attending the special school mostly
suffer from light handicaps and disablements, or emotional retardation due to culturally or materially weak backgrounds. They
were seen as unable to fit in the normal community of children attending regular schools or follow the program set for the regular
Primary schools in the Czech Republic.
Time4sharing.com's mission is using Timeshare Professionals as Volunteers is to highlight programs that symbolically re-enforce
the values of timeshare in luxury, fun and dream getaways.
Dejana Draculicova, coordinator of the event, quoted the founders call to action by other like thinking organizations that wish to
give back to their own communities where they live and work and give Timeshare a new label, a new role.
Members of Platinum International made up the majority of the volunteer team , accompanied by other members of the GSO.
Companies wishing to sponsor a day or a week in their community are asked to contact the movement at
http://www.time4sharing.com. The movement does not accept any outside donations as it's the role of each sponsoring
company to stimulate their own community.
"The idea", according to founder Madame Viviane-Tolan "is for us to give back our time hence,
Time 4 Sharing . The movement is supportive of any initiative that empowers the less fortunate with energy from the people that make up the industry
worldwide. The day will come when dozens of companies will cooperate together and each event will be like a candle and
together we can light up a the sky!" added the founder. This is lot of Fun to do and to share."
For further info email: contact@time4sharing.com
"Most of our children come from socially very weak families, they are usually brought up by only one parent and
some are orphan's from children's homes. We try to give them basic education and give them at least a small chance
to once incorporate in the community. Sports activities are very important for them to learn about rules, fair play
and trust but the families can not afford to provide them with sports coaches or ski training. TIME4SHARING
made it possible!" says Mrs. Ruzickova, director of special school.
Besides the ski school program, the week was full of different activities suited for ages of children. The older children, for
example, voted a "Miss" and "Mister" of the week and the younger had a "Snow ball rolling" competition.
"I wanted to go to the mountains, but I wouldn't have been able to because we wouldn't be able to afford it. I didn't
want to even think about it in the beginning because I knew we didn't have enough money, but when our teacher
told us that we wouldn't have to pay we were all so happy that we could go!" says Helena Jane?ková, 14 years old.
"We stayed in a mountain chalet, the rooms were clean and tidy. We had a ski school all day and a program each
night at the chalets. We were invited to a local restaurant for a big ice cream sundae the last day. I would love to
see the mountains again, because it was beautiful and I love the view of the mountains." says David
Rouly, 14years old, voted "Mister" by the older girls.
"We had a big sundae. We had competitions. We ate lots of good things. We were in the room with Honza and
Mrazek and Mrazek and I. And we made snowballs. And then we had to leave. I am sorry we had to leave" writes
Ji?í Mižika?, 9 years old in his essay with lots of spelling mistakes but with enthusiasm known to children only.
The TIME 4 SHARING committee were re-invited by the school and remembered by the children a few days after the event,
as the "kind people that made it possible for them to see the mountains" and welcomed at the school gym by the 25 shy kids.
"We left two hours later accompanied by a screaming bunch of the same kids shouting: "Wait, we didn't tell you about when my
first downhill run ever!.....", and wait till I get on the faster slopes....and lots of giggles and little conspiracies and winks after we
pledged to "take them to the mountains" again next year."added Draculicova.
They proudly held the TIME 4 SHARING banner, shouting that we don't forget to take photos of them holding their
TIME 4 SHARING Certificates presented to them . The caption read: "He who Tries... is a Winner" which were presented by the
events committee for Time 4 sharing.com. The movement has sponsored 10 Similar events in three counties in the past six
months.
For further info email: contact@time4sharing.com
Time4sharing.com is a Registered Charity in Central Europe based in Prague.