Archive for July, 2007

The Princeton Office of Sundance Vacations came across a local church in need, The Lion of Judah out of Trenton, New Jersey.  They wanted to keep the local children off the street during the summer and away from the gangs and drug activity.  Solution: Start a basketball team! The problem in this economically challenged area?  No shirts, no sneakers, no gym and sadly, no hope.                                                                                                        

Sundance stepped up and provided all of the above plus a generous donation, kicking off the season with a free throw contest and trophy’s on 07/07/07. Bob DeBord and Ed Coppinger Sr. worked tirelessly to put the event together. Sarah Jarvie, Margot Anglart and Alice Walinski assisted to make the day a fun event. The thank you’s and smiles of the kids made us happy to share with them in their time of need and reminded us to be grateful for all that we have. Also, a thank you to Shane Lewis for his coordination and support.                                                                      

Sundance Vacations and Travel Advantage Network have both exhibited their commitment to philanthropy. Next, they turn their attention to the environment.  Author, Paul Hawkins writes,  “Business is the only mechanism on the planet today powerful enough to produce the changes necessary to reverse global environmental and social degradation.”                                                                                                 

We agree that it is paramount for businesses to be good environmental citizens.  We can show our commitment to our fellow citizens by “going green”.                                                                               

A green business follows policies, principles, and practices that help improve the quality of life for its employees, customers, and environment. Lorena Andon reports that Travel Advantage Network is moving toward becoming a green business.  “We have formed a team which we call the “Eco Team” and have developed a plan to make efforts toward our goal of becoming eco-friendly.  The plan we have created is not the only action we are taking within our office; we plan to make changes at the properties as well.  We are looking forward to the positive changes and making our world a better place!”                                     

John and Tina Dowd have also been moved to action.  There were no diamonds or chocolates for Tina on Valentine’s day….just trees from the National Arbor Day Foundation.  Over the course of 50 years, each single tree can generate $31,250 of oxygen, provide $62,000 worth of air pollution control, recycle $37,500 worth of water, and control $31,500 worth of soil erosion.  “It was the highest value gift I ever received,” explains Tina Dowd.  “We also installed motion sensitive light switches and compact fluorescent bulbs in our home.”                                                                                                                                        

Earlier this year, Sundance examined the possibility of using recycled paper for the myriads of reports that are printed from the database each day. Unfortunately, the maintenance contract on the copiers would not support this action.  This was a small setback.  However, the Mount Carmel marketing division is blazing the trail for the rest of the offices.  They recycle all cans, bottles and paper.                                 

We salute TAN for their decision to “go green” as both companies continue to look for solutions that are eco-friendly.  Have you been moved to action?  Tell us about it on the corporate blog. 

Tina and Kathy                                       

The Myrtle Beach Resort is a long time favorite destination for many Sundance Vacations travelers; I have used three weeks of vacation at the resort myself.                                                                                    

There is so much to enjoy at the 36-acre resort: the new water park, including a 400-foot lazy river!  Guests have their choice of six swimming pools, tennis courts or health spas-complete with steam rooms, saunas and hot tubs.  Of course, the resort’s 700-foot stretch of beach is great for tanning!                                                                        

Nearby, there are plenty of amusements to be found in Myrtle Beach, including an IMAX Discovery Theater and more than 80 shops at the Broadway on the Beach Complex.  For those looking for more family-oriented pursuits, visit Family Kingdom, a miniature golf Mecca and home to a 30- year- old wooden roller coaster!                                                                                                                     

Myrtle Beach Resort is a fantastic spot, and now, our clients are going to love it even more.  During the last six months over $250,000 was spent refurbishing our units.  In every unit, we replaced the mattresses and bedspreads/covers.  86% of the units were repainted and 30% received completely new furniture- the rest will be complete in the fall. In addition, we laminated the floors in 72% of our units, and will complete the rest in the fall.  The makeovers are exciting and another way for Sundance Vacations to ensure that each client has a wonderful experience.                                                                      

Kathy O’Mara                                                                

WE JUST RECENTLY HELD OUR ANNUAL SUNDANCE VACATIONS COMPANY PICNIC AT DORNEY PARK IN ALLENTOWN, PA. I HAD SUCH A WONDERFUL TIME AND JUST WANT TO SHARE WITH EVERYONE MY FAVORITE THINGS ABOUT THE EVENT.                                                                                       

COMPANY PICNIC TOP 10 LIST…                                                                                                    

10. THE WEATHER:                                                                                                                        

WE COULD NOT HAVE ASKED FOR A MORE BEAUTIFUL DAY.                                                                                                       

9. THE FOOD:                                                                                                                                             

FRIED CHICKEN, PASTA SALAD, BAKED BEANS, AND THE FAVORITE ACCORDING TO EVERYONE I TALKED TO WAS THE CHEESEBURGERS, THEY WERE AWESOME.                                                                                                                                                 

8. NO LINES:                                                                                                                                              

GOING ON A WEEKDAY WAS DEFINITELY A SMART CHOICE.  THERE’S NOTHING WORSE THAN STANDING IN LINE FOR HOURS AND HOURS ON A HOT DAY, ONLY TO GO ON A THIRTY SECOND ROLLER COASTER RIDE. I DON’T THINK I WAITED LONGER THAN 10 MINUTES FOR ANY RIDE, IT WAS WONDERFUL.                                                                                  

7. THE TALON:                                                                                                                                           

IN MY OPINION, BY FAR THE BEST ROLLER COASTER IN THE PARK.  IT’S SO SMOOTH AND QUIET AND THEY ADDED VIDEO CAMERA’S THIS YEAR THAT RECORD YOUR FACE THE WHOLE TIME.  IT WAS SO FUNNY TO WATCH YOUR OWN VIDEO AFTER THE RIDE.                                                          

6. SUNDANCE VACATIONS EMPLOYEES WERE EVERYWHERE:                                                                

BOTH THE EMPLOYEES AND OUR GUESTS WERE ALL GIVEN BLUE SUNDANCE VACATIONS SHIRTS THIS YEAR TO WEAR TO THE PARK.  WE ALL KNOW THERE ARE A LOT OF EMPLOYEES HERE BUT IT WAS JUST NICE TO SEE SOMEONE ALMOST EVERYWHERE YOU LOOKED IN THE PARK.

5. WILDWATER KINGDOM:                                                                                                                                 

ALTHOUGH IT WAS A BIT CHILLY, I DECIDED TO TRY THE WATER PARK OUT THIS YEAR.  I HAVEN’T BEEN THERE SINCE I WAS A KID AND MY SON HAD NEVER BEEN THERE.  I COULDN’T GET HIM TO GO ON ANY OF THE WATERSLIDES WITH ME, BUT HE DID HAVE A GREAT TIME PLAYING IN THE DIFFERENT KID AREAS.                                                                       

4. SEEING CO-WORKERS FROM OTHER OFFICES:                                                                                  

I SAW BECKY (SHAMOKIN OFFICE), RUNNING THROUGH THE WATER PARK, JENNY (WILKES BARRE OFFICE), CRUISING THE PARKING LOT, MY LONG TIME FRIEND AMANDA WHO NOW WORKS IN WILKES-BARRE AND MY OLD MANAGER CHRISTINA (WILKES BARRE OFFICE), JUST TO NAME A FEW.  IT WAS WONDERFUL SEEING PEOPLE WHO I DON’T GET TO SEE VERY OFTEN.

3. "OUR TABLE":                                                                                                                                        

WE HAD SUCH A BIG GROUP THAT TRYING TO STAY TOGETHER WAS IMPOSSIBLE.  WE ENDED UP MEETING ABOUT EVERY HOUR AT WHAT BECAME "OUR TABLE." WE HAD ICE CREAM, SMOKED CIGARETTES, AND JUST TOOK A BREAK AND TALKED.  IT WAS NICE TO HAVE A "CHILL SPOT".                                                                                                                  

2. I WON! I WON!                                                                                                                                       

THIS WAS THE FIRST YEAR IN QUITE A FEW THAT THE DATA ENTRY EMPLOYEES WERE ENTERED IN THE PRIZE DRAWING, AND I ACTUALLY WON!  IN THE PAST, YOUR ENTRIES WERE BASED ON YOUR SHOWS.  A DATA ENTRY EMPLOYEE DOESN’T HAVE MUCH TIME FOR SCHEDULING SHOWS, SO WE HAVEN’T BEEN ENTERED IN YEARS.  A DIGITAL CAMERA WAS MY PRIZE AND A PERFECT ONE FOR ME, AS I DO LOVE MY PICTURES.  I WAS SO EXCITED! I KEPT TELLING PEOPLE ALL DAY THAT, "I WON! I WON!" I’M SURE THEY WERE SICK OF HEARING ME, BUT I DIDN’T CARE, I WAS SO EXCITED.  POWER TO THE DATA ENTRY STAFF OF SUNDANCE VACATIONS!                                                                                                                           

1. THE WHIP                                                                                                                                             

JULIAN, (MY SON) IS 6 AND IS NOT ALWAYS THE MOST ADVENTUROUS KID.  HE LIKES HIS FEET ON THE GROUND AND STEADY.  AT ABOUT 9 PM, I FINALLY GOT HIM TO AGREE TO GO ON THE WHIP WITH ME.  HE POUTED ABOUT IT THE WHOLE TIME WE WAITED IN LINE AND THEN AGAIN WHILE WE WAITED FOR THE RIDE TO START.  WHEN IT FINALLY DID START AND WENT AROUND A FEW TIMES, HE GOT A BIG SMILE ON HIS FACE AND SAID, "MOM, I LIKE THIS."  WE HAD TO GO ON A FEW MORE TIMES AND HIS NEW FAVORITE RIDE IS THE WHIP.  HE CAN’T WAIT TO GO TO ANOTHER PARK SO HE CAN GO ON IT AGAIN. MAYBE NEXT YEAR HE’LL GET ON THE TALON!  : )                                                                         

SO, THAT’S MY TOP TEN FAVORITE LIST ABOUT THE 2007 SUNDANCE VACATIONS COMPANY PICNIC AT DORNEY PARK AND WILDWATER KINGDOM, WHAT’S YOURS?                                        

THANK YOU PAM, FOR ORGANIZING THE EVENT, I’M SURE IT’S NOT AN EASY JOB.  THANK YOU JOE, FOR MAKING SURE TO SAY MY NAME RIGHT WHEN I WON. FINALLY, THANK YOU JOHN AND TINA, FOR HAVING THE PICNIC SO WE CAN ALL GET OUT AND HAVE A DAY AT THE PARK.  I’LL BE LOOKING FORWARD TO NEXT YEAR.                                                                          

ROCHELL ZAMBOTTI ~ HAZLETON OFFICE