Real estate agents in Tampa and Fernandina Beach are among the 2023 recipients of the volunteerism grant and mentorship program.
CHICAGO – Two Florida Realtors® match small-scale philanthropic real estate agents with mentors who can help them improve and expand their impact in their 15th annual volunteerism grant and mentorship program. is one of the award winners.
Pam Graves of Summer House Realty in Fernandina Beach and Daphne Thomas of RE/MAX Alliance Group in Tampa, along with three other Volunteer Works recipients, will receive $1,000 seed grants. They will also receive his yearlong one-on-one mentorship from members of the Good Neighbor Association, a group comprised of past winners of NAR's annual Good Neighbor Award. The Good Neighbor Award is the association's highest honor bestowed upon members who engage in community service. .
Recipients were chosen for their dedication to the community through volunteerism and the potential for their work to expand or improve with the help of a mentor.
“These Volunteer Works honorees are a shining example of the positive impact real estate professionals have on their communities,” said NAR President Kevin Sears, broker partner at Sears Real Estate in Springfield, Massachusetts. They are an example. Their dedication, compassion and tireless efforts foster the development of their communities.” They protect the lives of those they serve and set the standard for community engagement. They will not only grow their own efforts, but also inspire others to take meaningful action. ”
2023 Volunteer Activity Grant and Mentoring Recipients:
- Pam Graves, Summer House Realty, Fernandina Beach
Program: Stirring Hope, Inc.
When Pam Graves met Mary Apio, a former child bride turned independent chef, during a mission trip to Uganda, it was their food backgrounds that brought them together. In 2021, Graves and Apio founded Sonrisa School of Culinary Arts and Bakery, a cooking school that helps survivors of assault and forced child marriage build new lives. In 2022, he graduated 22 students.
“After Mary told us her story and we found out that we had food in common, we knew we were going to make lasting change,” Graves said. Graves' mentor is Dawn Rucinski, a 2021 Good Neighbor Award finalist.
- Daphne Thomas, RE/MAX Alliance Group, Tampa
Program: Unbroken Dreams, Inc.
Daphne Thomas founded Unbroken Dreams in 2021 to tackle homelessness and help people rebuild their lives. She runs a cold weather shelter that connects hundreds of people with housing resources, provides essentials like food, warm clothing, and blankets, and sometimes buys bus tickets to reunite people with their families. .
“When people encounter difficult times, such as homelessness or incarceration, dreams tend to be forgotten or shattered,” Thomas says. “At Unbroken Dreams, we believe these dreams are achievable.” Thomas will work with mentor Debbie McCabe, a 2022 Good Neighbor Award finalist.
- Arlyn Fisher, Park Company Realtors, Horace, North Dakota
Program: Cross for Cameron
Arlyn Fisher and his wife co-founded two nonprofit organizations in memory of their son, who was killed in a car accident at age 23. Crosses for Cameron educates people about the importance of organ donation. Located in a park between the two hospitals, the Garden of Healing was created to promote natural healing.
“This garden was born out of Cameron's death, but we want it to be a place of life and living,” said Craig Conant, mentor of the 2001 Good Neighbor Award winner. Fisher, who is cooperating, said.
- Kyle Olson, Keller Williams Inspire Realty, Fargo, North Dakota
Program: Alzheimer's Association MNND Chapter
Kyle Olson held open houses for 64 straight hours to raise $10,000 to fight Alzheimer's disease, which has taken away time from him and his father, Dewey. The third annual world's longest open house featured an hourly livestream and events such as Jazzercise and Chalk His Art, but it was more than just a memorial to Olson's father. Masu. It was a bonding experience for Olson and his son, Tucker. On the first day, we also held the longest lemon aid stand on site for 12 hours.
Olson, who is coached by 2013 Good Neighbor Award winner Christina, said: “While working on the farm with his father has left him with great memories, his son now joins him in doing fun things for a good cause.'' It's great that it happened,” he said. Rhodes.
- Glenda Pollard, Pollard Partners LLC, Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
Program: Clean Pelican
Glenda Pollard founded Clean Pelican to improve and beautify Baton Rouge. The nonprofit works with local businesses, volunteers and the mayor's office to organize the cleanup day. Through innovative programming in schools, we use technology to teach middle school and high school students how to map areas that need cleaning and track and save who has picked up what.
“I look forward to working with Tami to find ways to recruit more volunteers,” Pollard said. Pollard is paired with mentor Tami Hicks, a 2022 Good Neighbor Award finalist.
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