Realtors® Volunteer to Assist Charitable Organizations

Realtors® across the state volunteered for a variety of charitable activities during the Pennsylvania Association of Realtors® annual Realtors® Reach Out event in October.

Eleven associations planned events to lend a hand in their communities. More than 300 Realtors® volunteered their time for activities, collecting food for Thanksgiving baskets, packing boxes for food banks, working on cleanup projects and coordinating fundraisers raising more than $6,000.

“I couldn’t be prouder of our local associations and members,” said PAR President Christopher Raad. “They’re always looking for ways to help their communities and those in need. These activities are indicative of the important role Realtors® play in their communities.”

The Bucks County Association of Realtors® has an active Realtors® Reach Out Committee that plans community service activities throughout the year. Their October activity involved an outdoor cleanup project at a local food panty and shelter.

“The site of the local food pantry was extremely overgrown, so our members volunteered to do some outside landscaping cleanup,” said Jessica Finnell, committee co-chair. “We were creative over the past year to be able to help out throughout the pandemic with the various restrictions, but we were grateful to be able to do something in person, even if it had to be outside.“

The landscaping job was so big, they scheduled a second day to complete the project. Finnell is enthusiastic about lending a hand. “I feel like we owe something to our community. We all leave our brand at the door and work together as a team to get the job done.”

More than 80 Greater Harrisburg Association of Realtors® members volunteered with Wildheart, New Hope Ministries, Rebuilding Together and the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank.

Tamira Dykes from GHAR participated in two of the association’s service projects, including a community cleanup project with Wildheart Ministries in Harrisburg and Rebuilding Together to help a homeowner with disabilities with projects.

“Far too often people look at Realtors® as having a glamorous profile,” Dykes said. “Actually, most Realtors® have a servant’s heart and we believe in supporting our communities. It feels good going outside of yourself to help others. We all chip in to get the job done.”

Associations participating included:

• Bucks County – Volunteered to spruce up gardens at Bucks County Housing Groups.
• Cambria Somerset – Delivered water and Gatorade to local fire companies.
• Central Susquehanna Valley – Collected grocery gift cards to be distributed to seven area food banks throughout the five-county area and held a smoke detector drive to donate to local fire companies.
• Greater Harrisburg – Volunteered with Wildheart Ministries, New Hope Ministries, Rebuilding Together and the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank.
• Huntingdon County – Collected items and gift cards for the local Humane Society.
• Lawrence County – Collected food for Thanksgiving baskets for those in need.
• Pennsylvania Association of Realtors® – Volunteered at the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank.
• Reading-Berks – Held 5K Run for Shelter to benefit Habitat for Humanity of Berks County and Neighborhood Housing Services of Greater Berks.
• Realtors® Association of Metro. Pittsburgh – Staged a fashion show to benefit the Emmaus Community of Pittsburgh, volunteered for a community garden clean-up and held an annual winter clothing drive for local agencies to benefit at-risk women and children and homeless veterans.
• Realtors® Association of York and Adams Counties – Collected items for local shelters and volunteered at the York County Food Bank.
• Tri-County Suburban Realtors® – Held a coat, gloves and hat drive to benefit the Boys & Girls Club of Philadelphia.