Bluegreen Corporation Joins Coca-Cola, Ford Motor Company in Ranking Among Nation’s Top Corporate Fundraising Teams for 2013

Bluegreen Corporation, a leading timeshare ownership resort company, was recently honored as the 15th of 20 Top Corporate Fundraising Teams in the U.S. by the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) for the 2013 Walk to Cure Diabetes.

Bluegreen was named among such national corporations as Ford Motor Company, Bloomingdale’s, Walgreen’s and Coca-Cola.

Lora Hazelwood, executive director of the Palm Beach County Chapter of JDRF explained that there are literally thousands of corporate teams when you factor in the over 100 Walk sites across the U.S.

 “I am very proud to have our chapter on this exclusive list,” said Hazelwood. Bluegreen Corporation has been involved with JDRF and the Walk to Cure Diabetes since 2002.

Bluegreen President and CEO John M. Maloney, Jr. has been the corporate chairman of the Palm Beach Chapter event annually since 2006.  The national Walk to Cure Diabetes event brings together millions of individuals in support of finding a cure.

In addition to serving as a corporate sponsor of the event, Bluegreen committed to and exceeded their $50,000 fund raising goal.

“We are proud if our associates in Boca Raton and throughout the country for the part they play in helping to raise these funds and awareness of T1D,” said Ellen Devine, Executive Assistant to the President and CEO of Bluegreen.

“Our relationship with JDRF is very special and we are happy and proud to continue to help them find a cure.” Devine said.

“To Bluegreen, I sincerely thank you all for your tremendous support of JDRF and our Greater Palm Beach Chapter,” said Carl Marks, JDRF’s Regional Director for the state of Florida.

“It is because of your generosity, tireless efforts, and faith in our mission that we will successfully treat, cure, and prevent T1D through our research. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your vote of confidence and congratulations for this wonderful and distinguished distinction in JDRF’s success,” said Marks.

Orange Lake Resorts Expands To Williamsburg, VA

Vacation resort developer Orange Lake Resorts, which operates ten timeshare properties, has announced that it officially closed on a transaction with English Garden LV LLC to expand its portfolio to now include Colonial Crossings Resort in Williamsburg, VA.

The intent for this resort is to become a part of the Holiday Inn Club Vacations® brand in early 2014. The 120-unit Colonial Crossings Resort, located eight miles from historic Williamsburg includes: an outdoor pool, business center, fitness center, arcade, outdoor patio area, meeting space, complimentary Wi-Fi and daily resort activity programming.

Orange Lake Resorts plans to commit more than $8 million over the next year to upgrade the interior of Colonial Crossings Resort.

In addition, a currently unused building will be built-out with new villas and furnishings, where the top two floors will feature the upscale Signature Collection villas with granite countertops, deluxe kitchen appliances and enhanced interior décor.

Orange Lake Resorts also plans to construct a new amenity building on the property.

Holiday Inn Club Vacations was created in September 2008 as a strategic alliance between IHG, the world’s largest hotel company, and Orange Lake Resorts, a leader within the resort industry with more than 30 years of proven success.

The brand’s flagship property in Orlando, located next to Walt Disney World Resort, was established in 1982 by Holiday Inn founder Kemmons Wilson.

Other resort locations include Lake Geneva, WI, Panama City Beach and Marco Island, FL, Brownsville, VT,  Myrtle Beach, SC, Gatlinburg, T., Galveston, TX and Las Vegas, NV. Holiday Inn Club Vacations will continue to expand its resorts to top North American destinations.

"Give Kids the World" Partners with Wyndham Vacation Ownership to Launch “Extreme Village Makeover”

Give Kids the World, a nonprofit “storybook” resort for children with life-threatening illnesses and their families, has teamed up with Wyndham Vacation Ownership (WVO), the world’s largest timeshare ownership company, to launch an “Extreme Village Makeover” at Give Kids The World Village in Kissimmee, FL.

Pamela Landwirth, president of Give Kids The World, and Gary Rall, vice president of resort renovation and design for Wyndham Vacation Ownership,  kicked off the project at the 2013 Commercial Construction and Renovation Summit last month, led by David Corson, publisher and editor of Commercial Construction and Renovation magazine.

The Extreme Village Makeover, scheduled to take place January 12-25, 2014, will renovate 100 of the 140 villas at Give Kids The World Village, updating the whimsical accommodations for families visiting for a week-long, cost-free fantasy vacation to upgraded hospitality standards.

Construction will last two weeks with crews on-site 24 hours a day. The scope of work will include cosmetic and structural upgrades including: wood replacement, stucco and drywall repair, tile work, installation of new countertops, fixtures and crown molding, exterior and interior painting and electrical updates, just to name a few.

“Give Kids the World is an amazing organization and we’re very excited to be a part of this monumental project,” said Rall.

“We need a lot of people to make this vision a reality. At this point, we’re calling all members of the construction and design industry to come forward and join us in making a difference by donating or deeply discounting their products, expertise or time. This will truly be a once-in-a-lifetime experience, helping families of children with life-threatening illnesses for decades to come,” Rall said.

“We couldn’t be more excited about the Extreme Village Makeover, especially since it will be completed right before the 25th anniversary of the Village,” said Landwirth.

“With more than 185 resorts across the country, Wyndham is truly an expert at large-scale renovation and design projects. We are extremely grateful to have their team spearhead this monumental initiative which will provide an updated ‘home away from home’ for thousands of families every year. Their dedication is greatly appreciated,” Landwirth said.

About Give Kids the World 
Give Kids the World Village is a 70-acre, non-profit resort in Central Florida that creates magical memories for children with life-threatening illnesses and their families.

Give Kids the World provides accommodations at its whimsical resort, donated attractions tickets, meals and more for a week-long, cost-free fantasy vacation.

With the help of many generous individuals, corporations and partnering wish-granting organizations, Give Kids The World has welcomed more than 120,000 families from all 50 states and over 74 countries.

Photo Credit: thepeacockdiaries.blogspot.com
Photo Credit: stayclassy.org

Interval International Adds Third Azul Property in the Mexican Caribbean

Interval International, a prominent worldwide provider of vacation services and an operating business of Interval Leisure Group, has announced the addition of Azul Beach Hotel by Karisma on Mexico’s Mayan Riviera.

This property joins Azul Sensatori and Azul Fives Hotel & Private Residences, also part of the Azul
brand of Gourmet Inclusive® properties operated by Karisma Hotels & Resorts, in Interval’s global exchange network.

“We greatly value the relationship we’ve enjoyed with Interval over the years and look forward to working with the company on other projects,” commented Rinaldo Fernandez, senior vice president of administration for Karisma Hotels & Resorts.

“With each resort that we affiliate, we strengthen our vision for the future — providing our members outstanding vacation experiences at our resorts in Mexico and at Interval’s resorts throughout the world,” said Fernandez.

Situated in the tranquil village of Puerto Morelos, Azul Beach has 144 units with views of the turquoise waters of Bahia Petempich or lush vegetation.

Among the on-site amenities are five restaurants with a choice of Latin American, Asian and Italian cuisine, multiple outdoor swimming pools, full-service spa with treatments for adults and kids, fitness center, and a wide selection of day and evening entertainment and activities.

The resort also features an Azulitos Play House with a Fisher-Price® designed play space, the latest educational toys, and a baby equipment and toy loan program.

Older children can participate in activities such as mini-yoga, face painting, and beach treasure hunts.

“We are delighted to expand our partnership with Rinaldo and his team with the addition of Azul Beach,” said Marcos Agostini, Interval International senior vice president of resort sales and business development for Latin America.

“This spectacular boutique property offers visitors an unbeatable location midway between Cancun and Playa del Carmen and a host of upscale, family-friendly amenities and services,” Agostini said.

Puerto Morelos has a laidback atmosphere where you are invited to slow down and spend time together. Explore the Mayan Temples and the coral reef in Arrecife de Puerto Morelos National Park, or walk the two-and-a-half-mile trail through Dr. Alfredo Barrera Marin Botanical Garden, which is the last patch of conserved forest on this stretch of the Mayan Riviera.

Azul Beach Hotel by Karisma is approximately 25 minutes from downtown Cancun and 35 minutes north of Playa del Carmen.

Breckenridge Grand Vacations Teams up for Trail Work

Breckenridge Grand Vacations (BGV), developer of award-winning Grand Lodge on Peak 7, Grand Timber Lodge and Gold Point Resorts launched their annual trail maintenance volunteer program this past week.

Over the next two months, the BGV employees and timeshare owners will make bridge repairs, install and check steps and provide general trail maintenance.

Since 2009, BGV has partnered with the Friends of the Dillon Ranger District (FDRD), a local non-profit dedicated to the improvement of the National Forest lands, by adopting the Peaks Trail that begins behind the Grand Lodge on Peak 7 and continues on to Frisco.

Through this partnership, BGV has become an integral part of the conservation of the Peaks Trail for visitors and locals alike to use and enjoy.

Following this year’s efforts, the company will have accumulated almost 1,300 volunteer hours for this project.

 “BGV’s work on this trail has helped make it more sustainable for all types of users and has made an incredible impact in our community overall,” said Sara Slaton, Program Manager for the FDRD.

BGV commits to having several trained crew leaders to help convey proper techniques for bridge repair, trail maintenance and guiding new and returning volunteers. This year, the company recruited almost 100 volunteers, including Mike Millisor, Owner and Developer of BGV and his sons Luke and Nick.

“A few years ago, I was approached by Friends of the Dillon Ranger District to become involved in their Adopt-a-Trail program,” said Millisor.

 “It immediately jumped out at me as the perfect way to provide an opportunity for our employees to get involved in the BGV commitment to giving back,” Millisor said.

The next dates are Saturday July 27 and Sunday, July 28 and each work day will run from 9:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. BGV provides a free barbecue at the end of the day for the volunteers to enjoy.

Breckenridge Grand Vacations is the parent company of the award-winning Grand Lodge on Peak 7, Grand Timber Lodge and Gold Point Resort.

Since 1985, brothers Mike and Rob Millisor, along with partner Mike Dudick, developers of the Breckenridge Grand Vacations family of resorts, have been creating great vacations for thousands of families.