Pennsylvania Realtor® named finalist for Realtor® Magazine’s Good Neighbor Award

Pennsylvania’s own George Demchak, a Realtor® with Kissinger Bigatel & Brower Realtors® in State College, was recently announced as one of ten finalists for Realtor® Magazine’s Good Neighbor Award.

Demchak, a volunteer with the Howard Volunteer Fire Company, is credited with starting the fire company’s successful fundraiser event, Punkin Chunkin.

The company was struggling financially. While car washes and chicken barbecues helped raise some funding, it wasn’t sufficient to keep the company alive.

Demchak, who volunteers as a fire police officer and rescue vehicle driver, was watching TV one evening and saw something about a “punkin chunkin’.” Punkin chunkin’ is when participants launch pumpkins in the air via a variety of machines.

Demchak thought this could work as a fundraiser for the company.

“I was humbly flattered because when I actually proposed the idea for the festival, I really thought the first year, if we got 500 people, it would be a good turnout,” said Demchak.

Instead, more than 9,000 people showed up to the first Punkin Chunkin in 2011, which was “very surprising,” said Demchak.

Since then, the event has continue to grow and be a successful fundraiser for the fire company.

The fire company needs to raise 85 percent of their budget strictly through fundraising, said Demchak. “That is huge. We are all volunteer members, who work full-time jobs, but we still need to make money to pay bills at the fire company,” he said. The company needs $2,500 a week just to break even, he added.

“Having a good strong volunteer fire company benefits the community and residents. Real estate and insurance taxes would go up without it, so I am thankful for the positive impact on the local housing market,” said Demchak.

Between his volunteer work at the fire company, the festival and his real estate career, Demchak said technology has helped him manage his busy schedule. “It’s easier now, with smart phones, we can stay in touch remotely and schedule showings, and I am always available to answer calls, texts and emails. I just allot certain hours during each day to work on the festival,” he said.

The event now attracts around 18,000 people each year, which is a boost for the local economy. Since 2011, Punkin Chunkin has raised $115,000 for the fire company. This year, the event will be held on Saturday, Oct. 17.

“We are thankful, it is a true blessing that we can have this fundraiser and make $30-35,000 that carries the fire company through winter and the spring. It pays the bills,” said Demchak.

Demchak is one of ten Realtors® nationally nominated for the award, which strives to recognize Realtors® “who have made an extraordinary impact on their community, or on the national or world stage, through volunteer work.”

Five of the finalists will be named winners this fall in Realtor® magazine. Winners will be recognized at the Realtors® Conference & Expo, as well as receive a $10,000 grant for their charity. In addition to the five winners, five honorable mentions will each receive a $2,500 grant.

Vote for Demchak online!