We asked industry members what charities and community service events they are involved with and the benefits they receive from volunteering.
“I am on the Clay County Builder’s Council Board and our big annual project is the Holiday Food Giveaway to Clay County needy families. About a week before Christmas, the builder’s council members buy the food and trimmings from Winn-Dixie on Friday and on Saturday we box up the food. It is quite an assortment (potatoes, rice, canned juice, cornbread, canned goods, etc., probably 30 to 40 items) and it is distributed from a church. The church solicits names of 150 families in need from various agencies in Clay County and they are sent vouchers to receive the food. They come by the church with their vouchers and pick up from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on that Saturday in December. This I believe is our 14th year doing this. All the food is bought with funds from the Clay builders. We raise the money throughout the year at different functions and events sponsored by the Clay County Builder’s Council.”
— Chip Pallman, SunTrust Mortgage
“This year my Realtor partner, Jackie Frank, and I are fundraising to furnish and construct a public restroom in the San Carlos Hospital in Panagsinan, Philippines. The situation now requires a person to enter a sick patient’s room in order to use the restroom. Two years ago, she and I helped to construct a conference room in the same hospital. We will travel on Jan. 17 through Feb. 3 to participate on a medical mission in the Philippines. We do this simply because we can. The personal reward is knowing that we helped a community where we have distant relatives, a better place to live.”
— Rose Jenkins, Watson Realty
“Keller Williams Cares hosted our second annual Sidewalk Charity sale in early November. We support a local charity ‘Designs from the Heart’ which does room makeovers for terminally ill children or for children with a debilitating illness. From a marketing standpoint, we just want the community to know that Keller Williams Realty Atlantic Partners is a real estate company that is truly committed in being involved and supportive of its community.”
— Marianne Brown, Keller Williams Realty, Atlantic Partners
“I am involved in ‘A Journey for 9/11’. The Web site is www.ajourneyfor911.com. Our mission is to help provide health care for the surviving rescue and recovery workers who rushed to Ground Zero after the Sept. 11 attacks by raising a minimum of $10 million. The personal satisfaction I get from assisting this organization is all the reward necessary to know that my time and effort are well spent.”
— Chris Davis, Valley National Bank
“The Housing Partnership of Northeast Florida helps needy families with affordable housing and home repairs. It’s a tremendous experience to watch the people who can finally get out of their home via a new wheelchair ramp. In 2007, NEFAR volunteers will build 44 ramps in our community.”
– Paul Gruenther, Vanguard Realty GMAC
“As an 18-year resident of Orange Park, I focus some of my charity and community service efforts in my community. They include Asbury United Methodist Church, The Old Farm – a charity focused on providing free food weekly to those in need including delivery if required, a clothing and sundry shop and a children’s Christmas Party, Quigley House and Quigley House Thrift Store that provides for battered women and their children. I have never participated in these causes for any perceived marketing value, although I am sure greater name recognition is a given.”
— Janet Lowrie, National City Mortgage,
“Our employees have participated in projects like Ramp It Up! in Nassau County. This worthwhile program built much needed handicap ramps at residences for disabled members of the community. Volunteers from Standard Pacific Homes also helped to build a brighter future for a family in need by taking part in the Builders Care Workday in March of this year. Thirteen employees from several departments at Standard Pacific Homes joined together to begin renovations on a Dunn Avenue residence.
“Our team has also helped to raise thousands of dollars for Builders Care, the Arnold Tritt Scholarship Foundation and other Northeast Florida Builders Association’s charities.”
— Amber Williams, marketing director for Standard Pacific Homes
“My contribution to charitable organizations runs throughout the entire year. I personally contribute $25 from each closing check to the Children’s Miracle Network. I contribute every year to Relay For Life, both financially and by contributing of my time, by raising additional funds and donating my time at the actual Relay event. Every year my husband and I contribute to the Jacksonville food bank which provides hundreds of Thanksgiving meals to the homeless in our area. We gain so much more by giving than those we are giving to, so it’s a win/win situation for everyone. I do not give to any charity or cause with the hopes of getting anything in return but strongly believe it is the right thing to do.”
— Kathy Garland, Re/Max Professional Group
“This is our third year for presenting the Holiday Showhouse. But this year is the first time we are doing four homes. Palencia and ICI Homes present four Holiday Showhomes for 2007. They are decorated both inside and out by over 30 designers. The admission is an unwrapped new toy. Naturally, cash donations will be accepted. Our charities include Builders Care, Trinity Rescue Mission for homeless women and children, St. Francis House and the Jacksonville Humane Society.
“Our goal is to raise $50,000 in cash for these four charities and collect enough toys and food to make Christmas special for the children at Trinity Rescue. To make this goal, Palencia will host a Jungle Bell Run on Dec. 8. Go to www.1stplacesports.com to register.
“On Monday Dec. 3 we will have a golf tournament. I expect 10,000 visitors during the six weeks the homes are open. Our entire staff is going all out to create a positive Palencia experience for every visitor. This is out-of-the-box good marketing. But, more than that, Palencia and Hines are doing what we are all called to do, serve those in need.”
— Naomi Lumley, Palencia Realty, LLC Hines
“I am a member of the Children’s Home Society’s Alliance and feel that whatever small time, effort and resources that I provide is inadequate and never enough. Together, however, with the great efforts of other Alliance members, CHS sponsors and patrons, campaign donors and volunteers — united they make a difference. The rewards are many - the light in a child’s eyes says it all!”
— Jeannette Banning, Coldwell Banker Walter Williams Realty, Intracoastal office
“I donate to Habitat, Big Brother/Big Sisters, Cancer Society, Alzheimer’s, Multiple Sclerosis, local charities and school organizations. The reward is very personal and I sometimes donate in memory or in honor of a customer or friend. This means a lot to them I hope and promote good will, also.”
— Josie Deal, Coldwell Banker Jasinsky and Associates
“I have been a volunteer triathlon coach for Team in Training, part of the Leukemia Lymphoma Society. I have done this for about three years and it gives me a chance to combine my love of fitness with giving back. I coach beginners to complete a triathlon while they raise money to fight blood cancers. I personally raised over $5,000 as a participant last spring. I have gotten tons of leads from being involved in this organization, both from people who have participated, but from people who just like the fact that I give back.”
— Regina Sooey, Watson Realty
“I guess I’ve always had a servant’s heart.
“Throughout my life I can remember being involved with charity walks for cancer and various other causes. I participated in two “Relay for Life Walks”, which are 18 hours long and benefit the American Cancer Society.
“I’ve also served meals at City Rescue Mission and I’ve been involved with the restoration of a dorm room for them as well.
“In addition to my tithe, I’ve always had the gift of generosity, so I give to various organizations above and beyond the tithe: scholarship funds, Operation Christmas Child, Angel Tree, missions trips, etc.
I’ve donated blood to the local blood banks, but I must admit that this is my least favorite act of giving.
“I feel that we are all one family and we should do unto others as we would have them do unto us. God has blessed me and it does my heart to give to others. It is better to give than to receive. The flexibility of my job in real estate allows me the ability to be more involved with my community, and for that I am thankful.”
– Carrie Mitchell, Watson Realty
“Our entire divisional team participates in numerous things such as daniel, Builders Care and the Susan G. Komen for the Cure.
“The cost of hosting or participating in events is nominal compared to the satisfaction that we get from each successful endeavor. You cannot put a price on the sense of pride you feel for doing what you can to help others.
“Knowing that you are being a conscientious community partner, whether on a professional or personal level. Not being involved would feel like something very important is missing from the ‘Big Picture.’”
- Amber King, marketing director for D.R. Horton, speaking about the company’s efforts.