by Michele Newbern Gillis
Staff Writer
Many Realtors and affiliates gathered for the annual Jacksonville Women’s Council of Realtors Teddy Bear Holiday/Christmas luncheon held at the San Jose Country Club. During the event, teddy bears were collected and donated to Gary Dickerson of the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office.
Did You Know?
• The U.S. homeownership rate is approaching 70 percent, up from 65 percent a decade ago, while the household wealth attributable to real estate ownership has increased by more than 50 percent since mid-2001. (2006 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers)
“The good news is that crime is down, so we haven’t had to use them as much,” said Dickerson.
The officers keep the teddy bears with them to give to children who are in stressful situations whether their parents are getting arrested or in an accident situation. He said the teddy bears always seem to bring a smile to the children’s face.
Lately, he said, they have also been using the teddy bears as rewards for children who might be brought in for questioning and who cooperate with police matters.
Also the 2007 slate of Jacksonville WCR officers was installed.
Audrey Lackie of Watson Realty is the president, DeDe Katchen of Keller Williams Realty is president-elect, Jessica Pozin of Nationstar Mortgage is secretary and Beverlyn Heyward of American Home Mortgage is treasurer.
Also during the event, the Silent Angel Award, given by WCR to members who help others without asking anything in return, was given to George Linville of George Linville Realty.