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Wednesday, December 9th, 2009A bad economy has not slammed the door on the Sacramento Association of Realtors’ dedication to philanthropy, even as many individual members’ incomes drop.
The association expects to give $58,000 this year to charitable organizations, which doesn’t include volunteer hours or the $44,500 for college scholarships or the $65,000 to the Salvation Army.
SAR ranked No. 14 this year on the Business Journal’s list of largest corporate givers, ranked by 2008 cash contributions to local charities. The association gave $90,322 in cash and $15,291 in in-kind contributions.
SAR gives almost 3 percent of its gross revenue to charitable groups.
Some of the recipients of the association’s giving include Rebuilding Together, WIND Youth Services and The Salvation Army Del Oro Division.
SAR is one of only a handful of Rebuilding Together supporters that provide volunteers and financially sponsor its spring and fall workdays, said Cindy Slagter, program and development director for Rebuilding Together. Twice a year, the association provides 30 to 40 volunteers and $5,000 to cover the cost of materials to refurbish one house plus provide T-shirts and food for volunteers.
“They’re always willing to come out and work on whatever house,” Slagter said. “They want to help anyone in any way they can.”
SAR gave more than $3,100 this year — and more than that last year — to WIND Youth Services, which used the money to provide food and supplies to homeless youth. That amount covers at least 240 meals at the center, WIND Youth Services executive director Ellyne Bell said.
“It’s caring community members like the Association of Realtors taking in mind organizations such as WIND that really makes a difference. That’s how we survive — through the graciousness of the community,” she said.
A SAR committee considers grant requests that are related to shelter, support the underserved and poor, and at-risk youth, and that come from community-based organizations that improve the safety, appearance or recreation opportunities of the community.
Another committee collects money and builds three trees made of stacked cans of food for The Salvation Army. The association makes the single-largest donation to the local Salvation Army each year, said Charlene Singley, SAR president.
This year, SAR worried about how much it would be able to raise for scholarships given the recession, she said. While the tally of $44,500 isn’t a record, Singley was delighted with the result.
Article extracted from Sacramento Business Journal, article written by Kelly Johnson.
While I am sure that the figure for CanTree was correct as of publication, members of the Association should be delighted to know that the check given to the Salvation Army at our CanTree dedication meeting on 12/1/2009 was for $65,000. Congratulations! to all who participated in helping our community!
Here is a picture of Pam Poore handing the check over to the Salvation Army:
One item of interest to the Real Estate Community that SAR did recognize from the presentation podium this year is the fact that in the 27 year history of the CanTree event they’ve donated in excess of Two Million Dollars to the Salvation Army. SAR also did point out that in the 12 year history of one single Real Estate fundraiser, the Lyon Fair Oaks Chili Fest has brought in more than 10% of that figure, approximately $210,000.
Beginning in 2004 the Fair Oaks Office and C.A.R.E. or Catastrophic Aid for Real Estate, joined together and nearly doubled the Event receipts, and while we appreciate the recognition from SAR, we do this because we CARE and we can, but we also wish to share that thanks with all of you that attend and help make our annual Event thrive.
A grateful Thank You from all of us to all of you. We wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy & Prosperous New Year!
In response to numerous inquiries generated by my previous posting I’d like all interested parties to more clearly understand the basic mission of the C.A.R.E. or Catastrophic Aid for Real Estate program.
We are the only all volunteer organization in the Greater Sacramento Area committed to providing aid to those members of the local Real Estate Community in times of catastrophic need.
C.A.R.E. was concieved in 2001 as a 501(c)(3)non-profit Corporation designed to offer benefits to any and all members overwhelmed by catastrophic events beyond their control.
Simply stated; those whom may qualify for submission of a Grant Application must be active and involved members of our Greater Sacramento Area Region’s Real Estate Community, defined as anyone deriving a majority of their annual income in direct support of our Real Estate Industry, their spouse or domestic partner, or dependent offspring, and have served in their qualifing capacity for a minimum of one year.
For much more detailed information, please visit our interactive website at CareGives.org.
Because we C.A.R.E.,
Michael Santos
President
Catastrophic Aid for Real Estate
Lyon Fair Oaks Office