Area Realty Associations contributions

Areas 41 and 47 REALTOR® group continues to remind fellow REALTORS® of the importance of areas 41 and 47. This Association was formed three years ago by 12 REALTORS® who felt the area was not being serviced. The first year we know of a dozen or so transactions that were the result of our tour and the 2nd year there were more. This year, we hope figures will show a continued increase.

Our group has supported charities that are more important to members of our Association. We collect empty ink cartridges for the Mothers Milk Bank of Ohio, which is a special interest of Jeanie Hetzler. Neighborhood Services has been a long time favorite for Joe Jackson. We purchased gift cards for students to buy clothes and supplies for the new school year and have made a generous gift for the holiday season. Used cell phones are collected by Sharon Young for battered Women Shelters. Richard Woerner's choice is Project Open Hand Food Bank and, with over 250 HIV/PWA clients, its goal is to keep pet food and cleaning supplies on their selves. The Association also supported the Awards Breakfast for local students who were chosen for their superior performance.

The Bexley-Eastmoor-Berwick Real Estate Association (BEB) will host its annual raffle to benefit the Homeless Families Foundation at its annual holiday breakfast. In addition to the raffle, the Association will be taking donations of winter coats/outerwear to be given to needy students at the Broadleigh Elementary School in Eastmoor.

Anyone interested in purchasing raffle tickets, the cost is $25.00 each and can be purchased from Janet Zettler or Lynn Noles at The Wagenbrenner Company at 258-1844. Tickets are limited to 200. In addition to the raffle, donated gifts and gift certificates will be auctioned to benefit Broadleigh Elementary.

Additionally, the membership of the BEB has generously given to the Katrina fund through NAR with all dollars raised through our membership matched by BEB funds.

The Columbus Commercial Industrial Investment REALTOR® (CCIIR) for the past several years has supported Junior Achievement. This year, CCIIR donated $2,000 and some of its members volunteered to teach a class at the Junior Achievement office. This money is raised at CCIIR's annual golf outing. CCIIR host small monthly meetings at various office, industrial and retail vacancies.

The Gahanna Area Realty Association has provided more than $20,000 to the Gahanna Needy Family Organization this past year. In addition, the Association donated to the Katrina fund, Ryan Sycrest fund and provided money for other families throughout the year.

The Greater Dublin Realty Association (GDRA) received many requests for financial assistance and was able to help most of those requests. This year, the Association contributed $519 for Tsunami Relief; $100 to KW Cares- Bill Chafin-Westerville Floor Victim; $200 to Powell Sertoma/Justice League; $800 to CORPAC; $150 to Dublin Schools-Glaucoma Walk; $3,000 to Dublin Scholarships; and $250 to Leadership Dublin. In addition, several other deserving projects were helped because of the very supportive/compassionate nature of the GDRA members.

The GreaterWorthington Area Real Estate Association has had a wonderful year. Their weekly attendance increased and they've had a full tour almost every week. This year the Association donated $500 to CORPAC, $150 to the Hurricane Katrina relief efforts and provided four $500 scholarships to high school seniors at Thomas Worthington and Kilbourne High schools. The Association will also be adopting a family for the holidays. Thank you to all who have been active members of the Association this year. Your efforts and contributions are greatly appreciated.

The Northeast/Westerville Area Association (NEWR) has raised over $12,000 through its golf outing, bake sale and memberships. To date, donations have been made to the following: K9 Companions, $2,250; Katrina Victims, $2,000; Memorial Funds at CBR for REALTOR®/ relatives, $500; CORPAC, $500; CBR Affiliate Appreciation Breakfast, $200; and the Westerville Chamber of Commerce Evening of Elegance $50. The Association is determining how much to give to the following organizations: Westerville Caring and Sharing, WARM, Fruit of the Vine Food Program and the Westerville Schools Play to Pay.

The Southeast Area Suburban Realty Association held its annual Golf Outing at Pine Hills Golf Course ending with a steak dinner and raising $2,680. The Association has made monetary gifts to the American Red Cross for hurricane Katrina victims and a member who lost a child to cancer. To give three high school students in our area an opportunity for higher learning, the Association will present college scholarships to Canal Winchester, Groveport Madison and Bloom Carroll Schools at its Holiday Breakfast.

The Southern Delaware Realty Association donated $400 to Katrina Victims, $200 to CORPAC and made a $100 contribution to the CBR Affiliates Breakfast. In addition, the Association contributed $200 toward a farewell dinner for the US Army Quartermaster Unit in Delaware, where 160 US Army Reserves deployed in September. Monies raised in 2004 and paid out in 2005 was $1500 each to the Scott Bell Fund and to Canine Companions. The Association will donate funds in December to yet to be named charities.

This year, the Association also created a new website www.sdcra.com, held seven socials, had 40 people riding in our 6th Annual Southern Delaware Horseback Ride, and held their annual Golf Outing raising $1200 for their charitable fund.

During the Women's Council of REALTORS® luncheon programs various charities were selected to be the spotlight organization of the luncheon. Members were encouraged to contribute money or donate items to support that particular charity.

In February school supplies were collected for homeless children. The Capital Area Humane Society benefited from member contributions in October, and the November luncheon benefited the Mid-Ohio Marine Fund with WCR matching donations up to $1000.