Glaser Golf Benefit set for Oct. 5

The Santa Fe Association of Realtors has been making a local impact in Santa Fe through a variety of community engagement, education, and fundraising activities this summer. The 3rd Annual Nate Blaser Golf Benefit will be hosted by SFAR onOct. 5 at the Santa Fe Country Club. Last year, the event raised over $22,000. All proceeds will go to the Sky Center New Mexico Suicide Prevention Project implementing preventive services to decrease risk behaviors related to suicide and increase resiliency and reconnection to family, school and community support. The event is held in remembrance of all families who have been affected by the terrible tragedy of suicide and was named by Jill Benjamin after the death of her dear son, Nate. The association hopes these monies will continue to shed light on a subject that is oftenmisunderstood, ignored or overlooked.

It’s a great, fun golf benefit featuring a variety of prizes including Hole-in-One with Kia of Santa Fe providing a new car, a putting competition, men’s and women’s longest drive, closest to pin along with first, second and third place teams. Raffle tickets for other prizes will be sold, with a live auction held at the end of the tournament for twoWolf Creek Ski Resort season passes. To sponsor the event or learnmore about participating as a golfer, contact the association at 982-8385.

The Santa Fe Association of Realtors Welcome Guide has been updated and is now available on the association’s website at www.sfar.com. The guide provides valuable information for newcomers to Santa Fe, including how to get utilities connected, transportation modes, how to pay your property taxes, available social services, recreation and sport groups, homeowner tips, how to register to vote, things to do in the area and a Santa Fe lingo section to help those new to Santa Fe pronounce some of our streets and places like an old-timer.

Representatives from the Santa Fe Association of Realtors have been working to help launch a new community-based coalition of 20 organizations called the Santa Fe Housing Action Coalition. The coalition is devoted to creating more accessible and affordable housing options for people of all income levels through education, community engagement, and advocacy. The coalition organizations will work together to advocate for a series of systemic and structural policy changes to create more housing options for everyone, from people who are homeless to people who want to buy a home, and to help ensure that existing affordable housing is preserved. Association staff and members have agreed to serve in various capacities on the coalition and leadership council as well as serving on the community engagement and outreach, business, policy, and fundraising committees.

Lastly, SFAR was successful in garnering a $500 Good Neighbor Award grant from the National Association of Realtors to honor a Realtor member who has significantly contributed to our community through his or her generous volunteer time, energy and skills. SFAR’s Community Services Committee will be charged with developing award guidelines and making any final decisions regarding the award recipient. The award is similar in design and structure to a national Good Neighbor Award program annually supported by the National Association of Realtors. And to keep paying it forward, the awardmonies will be donated to the Santa Fe Good Neighbor Award recipient’s charity of choice.

Rubel “Paco” Arguello is chief executive of the Santa Fe Association of Realtors. Contact him at 505-982-8385 or paco@ sfar.com