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Press Release: Time4Sharing
December 23, 2004
BRATISLAVA, Slovakia -- Time4sharing.org, the timeshare charity that creates ‘fun days’ for underprivileged kids,
recently were honored by an invitation to the Presidential Palace of Slovakia, by that country's First Lady , Mrs.
Gasparovicova.
Earlier In November, fierce wind storms which had devastated an area of mountains known as the Tatras in Northeastern
Slovakia, and the Time4sharing organization discovered an orphanage with no resources was in desperate need to
repair their damaged roof, in a small building that housed 63 orphans.
“Time4sharing.org went to work and sent out a call to action, to raise awareness to bring hope to these children,
who were literally freezing in an area where many parts still have not gained consistent power since the November
Storm. Snow drifts were inside the house, and no money was available from anywhere to solve it quickly,” said Petra
Reisova, Coordinator for the timeshare charity action project.
“We organized our army of volunteers, mainly from Platinum International, who have normal timeshare jobs, and went
to work.” She added, "We had our kangaroo mascot, Boomerang with us, and she met the First Lady of Slovakia
during the event.
“Boomerang is aptly named to symbolize that what you generously give out can come back into your life, as a nice
warm feeling of satisfaction. The kids loved me as the kangaroo, but they kept pulling on my tail to see if I
was real,” said Tomas Reisova, volunteer for time4sharing.
“Our campaign, Hope for Tatras, was well received, and organized with the local village, funds from Platinum International
to repair the roof by Christmas Day,” said Petra Reisova, “which was a huge accomplishment in such a short timeframe,
given that it's not very accessible, and poor communications hampered our progress with contractors.”
Platinum has promoted its World Class brand in Slovakia for the past two and half years, and had hopes of developing
a resort in the weather stricken region, which was a Mecca for tourism in the Central European region.
“We organized our local orphanage in Bratislava, who we had planned our annual Christmas Feast with, to go throughout
the town, along with Scout volunteers and Time4sharing, and light candles and sing for hope,” she explained. “It
was a glorious procession.”
“It was amazing, and when the President's team discovered this, we were invited to spend our Christmas party inside
the prestigious and opulent presidential palace. I cannot describe what a magical evening it was for these children,
nor the real heart felt joy we all shared, as we sent prayers and songs of hope to the people of the Tatras.”
“We lit candles with the First Lady and she sang in our midst, it was an awesome treat for everyone, very special.
She then gave the children gifts and at the end, our children presented the director of the distressed orphanage
with a little Tree of Hope, to be taken back to the Orphanage, along with a Giant Christmas Card, signed by all
the children of Bratislava and The First Lady,” said Reisova.
“We are grateful throughout Slovakia tonight for the efforts of Time4sharing ,” said the First Lady. “You have
succeeded in bringing hope to the Tatras though these children,” she added.
In her Speech inside the Palace, Project Leader Petra Reisova said “The values taught to me by my parents to freely
give love, and believe me these kids deserve it, and that it was so instilled into me as was also was the notion
to respect and care for the great nature of our country by my father, which is one of the most spectacular treasures
of Slovakia. We will plant 500 trees with our children of hope in 2005,” she pledged. "It will be done,” she
confirmed to an applause.
“I am proud to be part of giving back this gratitude in this Hope for Tatras movement,” she stated.
“What was first started as a fun project by a timeshare company Platinum International four years ago, has become
an international community action group, which has the ability and good fortune to make a difference,” she added
“We have done so many wonderful events for kids in Malta, Lebanon, Czech Republic and here in Slovakia, but I am
telling you, this was one these children will never forget. We were able to make them feel so significant, that
they were not only honored gusts in a Palace, but they had the power to send Hope to other kids in need.
"That’s Magic!" she added. "They will be heroes for the rest of their lives,” she smiled.
"The Time4sharing movement organizes year round events for underprivileged children in communities where Platinum
International and World Class Vacation Club are present.
"This was a banner year for Time4sharing, with many golden accomplishments, but a lot more to do in the years
ahead. Our Peace monument in Beirut was a great day also for children who matter, which was crested by the fact
that Platinum, the main sponsor, is celebrated its Tenth Anniversary this year,” said Reisova.
“This Palace event was publicized national wide in newspapers and radio also, and really moved people, which
at the end of the day is what we are all about, making kids that matter happy, and bringing an awareness in the
community to reach out and do more,” she said.
“We encourage any resort group that wishes to make a difference in their local market to contact us at help4kids@time4sharing.com,
if they want to make a difference too,” she said, with a wink in her eye.
Source: Time4Sharing