The Santa Clara County REALTORS® Foundation (SCCR Foundation) recently participated in Rebuilding Day, a home repair blitz organized by Rebuilding Together Silicon Valley (RTSV). 29 local REALTORS® and other volunteers helped repair and rehabilitate the home of a 75-year-old San Jose resident.

“The Rebuilding Day event was a fantastic opportunity for REALTORS®️ to give back to their community,” said Clayton Dodds, SCCR Foundation Chair. “Volunteering makes such a positive impact in the lives of our neighbors and friends in Santa Clara County, which is core to our Foundation’s mission. It is especially critical this year, so we were all thrilled to participate.”

This project was one of 24 Rebuilding Day events organized by RTSV throughout Santa Clara County. SCCR Foundation members were joined by San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo and District 6 Councilmember Dev Davis, who arrived during the morning shift to thank the volunteers and lend a hand.

The SCCR Foundation is the charitable arm of the Santa Clara County Association of REALTORS®, which is made up of over 6,000 REALTORS® and Affiliates in and around the Bay Area. The SCCR Foundation aims to bring organized real estate together by investing in our neighborhoods with compassion, foresight and action.

Learn more about SCCR Foundation at www.sccrfoundation.org

The Santa Clara County REALTORS® Foundation, the charitable arm of the Santa Clara County Association of REALTORS®, recently made turkey donations to three South Bay organizations that all focus on giving back to those in need.

“As we come into this time of giving, it is good to stop and reflect on the things we are grateful for,” said Don Jessup, Chair of the Foundation. “I am grateful for all of the SCCAOR REALTOR® and Affiliate members who gave so much to make this day possible. Taking care of our community is what we do and today we helped three great organizations feed those that are in need.”

The SCCR Foundation donated a total of 250 turkeys that were split between Martha’s Kitchen in San Jose, City Team in San Jose, and St. Joseph’s Family Center in Gilroy. All three organizations provide hot meals and other assistance to those in need.

About each organization

Martha’s Kitchen: Since 1981, about 4,500,000 meals have been served at Martha’s Kitchen with the help of volunteers from surrounding communities, schools and churches of all denominations, along with individual donors in the spirit of Louise Benson’s concept of feeding the hungry in our community. (Read more)

City Team: Since 1957, CityTeam has been serving people in extreme poverty and helping them transform their lives, their families and their communities. Today, with the help of volunteers and faithful donors, CityTeam is impacting the lives of over 500,000 people each year. (Read more)

St. Joseph’s Family Center: The Food Pantry is the oldest and largest program that St. Joseph’s operates. Low income families and individuals receive nutritious, balanced food baskets, Tuesday through Friday, that help them maintain a proper diet and physical well-being. Homeless receive nourishing and filling lunch bags daily, Monday through Friday. A large assortment of fresh produce is distributed every Monday morning. The Food Pantry established and supports 10 off-site pantries located in schools and agencies throughout the South County. (Read more)

SCCR Foundation Group Photo

The Santa Clara County REALTORS® Foundation (SCCR Foundation) recently participated in Rebuilding Day, a bi-annual home repair blitz organized by Rebuilding Together Silicon Valley (RTSV). Over 40 local REALTORS® volunteered their time to work on two homes in the Villa Teresa Mobile Community in San Jose.

“The Rebuilding Day event is always a fantastic opportunity for REALTORS® to give back to their community,” said Don Jessup, SCCR Foundation Chair. “I am so proud of everyone that came out to support our Foundation in helping make a difference in the lives of these homeowners.”

Volunteers painted the exteriors of the homes and replaced the paneling around the sides of the porch. The two homes were part of RTSV’s “Adopt-a-Park” initiative, in which several hundred volunteers from various organizations came together to make critical improvements to 14 homes in the Villa Teresa Mobile Community.

The SCCR Foundation is the charitable arm of the Santa Clara County Association of REALTORS®, which is made up of over 6,000 REALTORS® and Affiliates in and around the Bay Area. The SCCR Foundation aims to bring organized real estate together by investing in our neighborhoods with compassion, foresight and action.

Visit the SCCR Foundation website to learn more about the great work being done by REALTORS® in our community.

 

In the wake of the deadliest wildfires in California’s history, the Santa Clara County REALTORS® Foundation (SCCR Foundation) have announced that they have made a $2,500 donation to the California Association of REALTORS® (C.A.R.) Disaster Relief Fund.

“These wildfires have devastated so many people in the state of California, including many REALTORS® and their families,” said Frank Cancilla, the Chairperson for the SCCR Foundation. “We want to help those impacted by the fires and we are truly inspired to see the outpouring of support from the REALTOR® Family.”

The C.A.R. Disaster Relief Fund was established in the wake of the devastating 2003 California wildfires. The fund continues to support REALTORS® and others who have been adversely affected by natural and other disasters by offering grants to affected homeowners and renters for mortgage relief or temporary housing assistance.

Kevin Cole, President of the Santa Clara County Association of REALTORS®, said that he is pleased to see that local REALTORS® are also making individual donations. “The continued generosity from our members has been amazing,” said Cole. “At our recent General Membership Meeting, dozens of REALTORS® stepped up and made donations towards the relief efforts.”

Learn more about the C.A.R. Disaster Relief Fund at www.car.org/difference/realtorscare

The Santa Clara County REALTORS® Foundation $1 Million Homeless Challenge 2018 campaign has officially kicked off! Did you know over 7,000 people in Santa Clara County are homeless? These veterans, families, children, mothers, sisters, grandparents, uncles, and disabled persons are members of our community, and they need our help. Most often, people find themselves homeless after a string of unfortunate circumstances, and then become trapped. The $1 Million Homeless Challenge raises funds and supports organizations that help families and individuals break the cycle of homelessness, through work programs, affordable housing assistance, day care assistance, job & career development, and temporary housing.

Who Does the Campaign Support?

Currently, we provide funds to local Santa Clara County organizations that help people break the cycle of homelessness. These organizations include the Downtown Streets Team and Family Supportive Housing. Downtown Streets Team is a partnership that allows homeless or at-risk individuals to volunteer on local beautification projects. Through peer support, work-style responsibilities, case management, and employment services, DST helps empower their “Team Members” to take an active role in their future. Family Supportive Housing provides temporary housing and targeted support for families struggling with homelessness. Through temporary, family-only shelter services, extensive case management, and post-shelter services (AfterCare), Family Supportive Housing helps families address the critical barriers to long-term self-sufficiency.

How Can I Help?

  • Join the elite 1% Club and commit to donating 1% of your commissions, or at least $1,000, to helping this important cause
  • Give an individual donation to the campaign – you can donate via PayPal, and every donor will receive a gift and a personalized token of appreciation
  • Connect us with your brokerage or local group – we’d love to come out, meet you, share stories, provide statistics on homelessness, and provide ways you can help your community
  • Be social! Help us increase the reach of the campaign by liking, sharing on social media. Follow us on Facebook, and add our campaign frame to your Facebook profile picture!

 

Volunteers from the Santa Clara County REALTORS® Foundation and the Santa Clara County Association of REALTORS® joined together on April 22nd to take part in Rebuilding Together Silicon Valley’s Rebuilding Day.  They spent the day cleaning out, fixing, and painting a home in the Japantown district of Downtown San Jose. Check out the video (above) and the photos (below) from the event.

Visit the Rebuilding Together Silicon Valley website to learn more about how you can get involved in future projects. You can also visit the SCCR Foundation website to learn about how they are working hard to make Santa Clara County a better place to live.

 


Photos by Rebuilding Together Silicon Valley

In the wake of the worst flooding to hit San Jose in decades, Santa Clara County REALTORS® Foundation has donated $10,000 to the San Jose Flood Victims Relief Fund. Over 14,000 people were impacted by the overflowing Coyote Creek due to spillover from the Anderson Reservoir.

“The Santa Clara County REALTORS® Foundation strives to help families and revitalize our local communities, and this includes assisting in disaster relief,” said Bonnie Wilson, the Chairperson for the Foundation. “We are inspired by the response from our REALTOR® Community, and we hope to continue our work in uniting local real estate professionals in giving back and enriching the lives of those affected by this unfortunate event.”

The Relief Fund, set up by San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo and Silicon Valley Community Foundation, is supporting nonprofit organizations that are providing immediate and long-term relief and recovery assistance to flood victims in San Jose. The public can help by contributing online at www.siliconvalleycf.org/sjflood.

“It is heartbreaking to see so many families displaced from their homes but I am heartened by the outpouring of community support,” said Neil Collins, CEO of the Santa Clara County Association of REALTORS®. “I am proud and grateful that our Members responded to the needs of the community that we serve. Those impacted by the flooding remain in all of our prayers.”

The SCCR Foundation is the charitable arm of the Santa Clara County Association of REALTORS®, which is made up of over 6,000 Realtors and Affiliates in and around the Bay Area. The SCCR Foundation aims to bring organized real estate together by investing in our neighborhoods with compassion, foresight, and action.

Learn more about the Santa Clara County REALTORS® Foundation at www.sccrfoundation.org.

KAFPA and SCCAOR Members with some of the donated items from the Toy & Pajama Drive: Denise Marchu (KAFPA Executive Director), Christina Atkinson (KAFPA Program Specialist), Susan Steele (KAFPA Foster/Adoptive Family Advocate), Cassandra Guzman(KAFPA Program assistant), and Hilda Ramirez (SCCAOR Director of PR, Education & Events).

The weather called for heavy wind and rain, but members of the Santa Clara County Association of REALTORS® (SCCAOR) were determined to bring joy to local foster children this Christmas. More than 200 Local REALTORS® came together last Thursday and raised over $16,000 in cash, toy, and pajama donations for local foster teens.

SCCAOR Members weathered the torrential downpours and winter temperatures to bring both their donations and their holiday cheer to their Annual Membership Appreciation Mixer and Gifts for Teens Drive. All donations and money raised during the event went to KAFPA, the Kinship, Adoptive and Foster Parent Association, a nonprofit that provides resources and advocates for the needs of foster and adoptive Families in Santa Clara County. This year’s donation drive placed emphasis on teens, a segment of the population often overlooked during the “Season of Giving.”

Trisha Motter, President of SCCAOR, said that this year’s event was a team effort.

“So many dedicated people and groups came together to make this year’s toy drive a huge success,” said Motter. “We felt that it was important to focus on gifts for teens, as they are often the ‘forgotten group’ when it comes to holiday giving.”

The event was attended by real estate agents from all over Santa Clara County. Each attendee brought some type of donation, some individuals electing to fill bags and even boxes full toys to donate to KAFPA.

Kelly Hunt, a REALTOR® for CSR Real Estate Services, has been actively participating in the event for the last ten years. She spends the month before the event gathering donations from friends and colleagues. This year she collected a total of 405 toys and pajamas, and $1300 in cash and gift cards.

“My volunteer work over the years has been primarily focused on helping children, since they don’t always have the ability to control their environment,” said Hunt. “My clients, friends, and colleagues are what really makes the toy drive a success, and I couldn’t do it without them. I’m just the vehicle making it easier to help and to bring everyone together for the benefit of the kids.”

While organizations like KAFPA receive a majority of their donations around the holidays, it is important to keep them in mind year round.

Hunt added, “KAFPA needs donations all year long for basic necessities, so I’m working with the director to find ways to help more throughout the year. The Holiday Toy Drive is just one of many things our real estate community does to give back to the community throughout the year, and I’m always proud to be a part of helping those in need.”

For more information on KAFPA, visit www.kafpa.org.
Learn more about the Santa Clara County REALTORS® Foundation at www.sccrfoundation.org.

Thank you to all our Members that participated in the Pumpkin Auction Fundraiser back in October. Today, the Santa Clara County Realtors Foundation presented a check to Katherine R. Smith Elementary School for $12,424 to help support field trips, beautification projects, and the cost of school materials. We are truly fortunate to have a great Foundation that is constantly supporting our community!

 

Learn more about the Santa Clara County REALTORS® Foundation at www.sccrfoundation.org.

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The Santa Clara County REALTORS® Foundation (SCCR Foundation), the charitable arm of the Santa Clara County Association of REALTORS® (SCCAOR), spent the day before Thanksgiving in a giving mood. The Foundation visited and made donations to four South Bay organizations that all focus on giving back to those in need.

The first stop of the afternoon was a meeting with Pastor Oakie of the Believers In Christ Homeless Street Ministries, to make a donation of socks, blankets, and a turkey. Pastor Oakie, who works with work the community to provide a hot meal to those in need every Sunday in Downtown San Jose, and said that one of the most needed items for homeless people is warm socks.

The next stop was Martha’s Kitchen in San Jose. The SCCR Foundation donated Thanksgiving turkeys and $250 to help with all the fixings.  Martha’s Kitchen’s mission is “Feeding the hungry with dignity; no questions asked.” The Foundation met with Executive Director Edita Cruz, who gave a tour of the Kitchen’s operation. During the tour, members of the Foundation ran into former SCCAOR President Bob Kulick, who was busy volunteering his time at the kitchen.

The third stop of the day was Home Church in Campbell, where the SCCR Foundation dropped off turkeys and a $250 donation. The Church was busy preparing Thanksgiving boxes for local community members in need. Each family in need was able to receive a turkey and a grocery bag full of food. We met with Jimmy Zien, a Pastor at the Church, who discussed all the amazing things the church is doing to help the local community.

Finally, the SCCR Foundation visited City Team International in San Jose and donated Thanksgiving turkeys and $250 to help with all the fixings. The donation was accepted by Sharon Vaughn, Director of Donor Relations, who shared so many heartwarming stories about the real impact that City Team is having on the local community. City Team has been passionately serving the poor, the homeless, and the lost since 1957.

Learn more about the Santa Clara County REALTORS® Foundation at www.sccrfoundation.org.

For more information about each organization, visit:

http://www.believersinchristministry.com

http://www.marthas-kitchen.org

http://www.thehomechurch.org

https://www.cityteam.org