S.F. Realtors plan community event
Realtors don’t just sell homes; they build communities. When a real estate agent sells a house, it’s more than a simple transaction. That house will ideally become a home for many years where its owners will grow and evolve and become involved in their neighborhood, church, community or school. Realtors know many things, but one thing they know very well is that a home is more than four walls with a roof.
Helping build our community is such an important component of our business that the Santa Fe Association of Realtors has a Community Services Committee. Its members volunteer their time to focus on issues that are important to Santa Fe and then put together a plan to make a difference. Often, crisis is the catalyst that brings people together, and for good reason: We need each other.
A few years ago, Richard Jay, a beloved Realtor who was known by almost all in the business, was diagnosed with and eventually succumbed to ALS. When someone you know is afflicted, the feeling of helplessness is almost inevitable. However, rather than be defeated, Deborah Bodelson, a local Realtor with Santa Fe Properties, with the help of the Community Services Committee, put on a golf tournament and dinner and raised over $54,000 to be donated to the New Mexico chapter of the ALS Association. To date, over $88,400 has been donated to the chapter on behalf of Richard Jay from the efforts of the Santa Fe Association of Realtors.
Another issue that is important in our community is teen suicide. A few of our Realtor members have been tragically touched by this growing problem. When Jill Benjamin Blankenship lost her son, Nate, to suicide, she was heartbroken and was determined that no other mom should experience such grief. Jill and the Community Services Committee once again got to work and put together another event and silent auction that raised almost $40,000 for the Sky Center, a nonprofit for suicide prevention and counselling in our schools. To date, the Community Services Committee at the Santa Fe Association of Realtors has given over $66,000 to the Sky Center.
Now, the Community Services Committee wants to give back to our community in a different way. On Saturday, Oct. 7, at Fort Marcy park, a free Community Fun Day will be held from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. to bring together important organizations within our community and provide fun for everyone. This carnival-type event will be free to the public and will have food trucks, a beer garden, and participants including nonprofits, charitable organizations and others offering games for kids, such as a ninja warrior course, goldfish pingpong toss, a cake walk and more.
Volunteerism is one of the great American traits and it’s what helps make the world go around. Realtors embrace this edict wholeheartedly. With almost too many good causes to list here, from fundraising to raise awareness of teen suicide and ALS to raising money for hurricane victims and creating new initiatives for homeless veterans and affordable housing issues, Santa Fe Realtors are rolling up their sleeves and helping out. Please come out on Saturday, bring the whole family, and have lunch and participate in the three-legged race or the egg toss. The Santa Fe Association of Realtors’ Community Fun Day will be an awesome event for our community!
Roger Carson and Melissa Pippin-Carson are trusted real estate professionals and a husband-and-wife duo. Melissa is the 2017 president of the Santa Fe Association of Realtors. Raising a family in New Mexico, they provide key insights and long-term perspectives for homebuying and selling in Santa Fe. Call them at 505-699-3112 or email them at twicethesellingpower@gmail.com.