by David Chapman
Staff Writer
It’s always better to give than to receive.
It’s an old adage, but who says you can’t do both?
Every holiday season, Northeast Florida Realtors and builders donate time, money and effort to local charities. The exposure they receive in return, though, makes community service a win-win situation for everyone involved.
“There are many reasons a Realtor should volunteer,” said Sherry Davidson of Davidson Realty. “Every time I volunteer, I end up getting more benefit from it than anyone else. I see people with problems or needs a lot worse than I have. It makes me count my blessings and get a new attitude.
“You meet many people volunteering and they know lots of other people that you might get referrals from for your business. People like to do business with businesses that support their communities.
“It also shows people what your values are and what is important to you.”
In a slow market, it’s also to the advantage of Realtors to volunteer. Swapping canned goods for community exposure, building homes and gaining teambuilding experience and increasing traffic with charitable events are all ways that Realtors and builders can help while strengthening their brand.
“I think there definitely are advantages for Realtors to become involved,” said Jean Moellendick, a Realtor with Re/Max Specialists.
Moellendick is the chairperson for Re/Max Specialists, “Artists Making Miracles Art Show”, an event where local artists sell their work with a portion of the proceeds going to Wolfson Children’s Hospital. Other donations and money raised by a silent auction will also go toward the program. The event is time consuming but the effort is worth it, said Moellendick.
“It resonates well with people that they know Realtors are concerned about the community,” she said.
Like Re/Max Specialists, several local Realtor offices have taken charitable efforts into their own hands.
Watson’s Southpoint and Sunbeam offices are conducting different drives for local charities and the results have been positive in terms of proceeds and exposure.
“A lot of people didn’t know about the office,” said Shelba Williams, a Realtor with the Sunbeam office.
For one day, Williams’ office swapped out parking lot space for canned goods and cash from locals to host a community garage sale. The event resulted in 52 vendors renting spots and proceeds went to a local food bank. The office sent notice to the community through newspaper advertisements, mail and phone calls. The turnout, Williams noted, was strong and that many people mistaked the location for Watson’s corporate office. Correct information and awareness could lead to more business in the future, she said.
“I’m sure it will,” said Williams. “I think a lot of the people who attended will come back as future clients.”
Watson’s Southpoint office is also letting the community know of its charitable efforts for daniel through advertisements and a large marquee display in the Southside area of Jacksonville.
The office plans on conducting a food drive and wrapped gift program for daniel children and the community knowing and participating in the drives certainly doesn’t hurt the office’s image, said Carrie Mitchell, a Realtor at the Southpoint office.
“Realtors do care,” said Mitchell. “Not only does it feel great to help worthy causes but it is also great public relations, too.”
Individual offices aren’t the only ones that participate. It’s a year-round and large scale operation for some.
The Sales and Marketing Council of the Northeast Florida Builders Association has numerous drives and functions throughout the year to help causes like Builders Care, daniel and the Arnold Tritt Scholarship Foundation.
“What I find is that money really isn’t an issue,” said Amanda Randolph, SMC’s sales and marketing director. “No matter how bad the market is, our members have always stepped forward.”
Giving is what Naomi Lumley and Palencia are trying to accomplish with their six-week Holiday Showhouse event to benefit four local charities. Lumley is aiming high with her goal: 10,000 visitors, with the effect reaching much further.
“That would be 10,000 people who come to Palencia and have a good time, who then would tell their friends, family, coworkers about the event and the community,” she said.
It’s not just the community that has the potential to reap the benefits. Sponsors and Realtors who donated certain amounts are advertised in a program that is distributed to people who visit the showhomes. All donations from advertising, minus the printing fees, will be given to the charities. Additionally, Lumley said that “Thank you” advertisements will be run in various publications to give further exposure to those that helped.
It’s not just individual offices or persons getting involved, either. Real estate offices at the corporate level also coordinate large scale events between their offices. Prudential Network Realty is one such corporation.
“Oh, absolutely we are involved,” said Linda Sherrer, president of Prudential Network Realty. “It’s important to us to help. It helps get us out there and we’re involved in numerous charities.”
Realtors Ramp-it-up, Paint the Town, a backpack drive, work with Southpoint Terrace adult care center, the Donna Hicken Foundation and the United Way are some of the charities Prudential Network Realty contributes at a corporate level.
Community service can also be a workplace bonding experience.
“Companies spend so much money on exercises to create a teamwork atmosphere,” said NEFBA Executive Director Daniel Davis.