Agent, daughter take arthritis support advocacy to D.C.
Martha Turner Sotheby’s International Realty agent Sabrina Elias and her daughter Alyssa recently returned from Washington, D.C., where they hit the halls of Congress to spread the word as part of the Arthritis Foundation Advocacy Summit. “We had over 350 people representing 45 states,” the top-producing Memorial office agent said. “We came to advocate for arthritis and to tell our stories.”
The duo met with Senator Ted Cruz, staff in the office of Senator John Cornyn’s office, Representatives Ted Poe and Al Green, and staff in Representative John Culberson’s office.
“Since health care is on the table right now, we let them know about Alyssa’s fight with arthritis and the challenges she faces on a daily basis, “Elias said. “It was a great experience and we are hoping by putting a face to the disease they will remember us when passing legislation.”
The trip was another in a series of actions the pair has taken in response to the serious challenges of Alyssa’s childhood arthritis. The Arthritis Foundation last year named Alyssa their Youth Honoree. Congratulations to Alyssa for her courage and dedication, and especially Elias for modeling for her daughter an active and positive response to both a personal difficulty and the greater issues surrounding it.
••• ’Twas the wearing o’ the (Gary) Greene for the Champions office of BHGRE Gary Greene as agents and their families braved the unseasonably brisk weather to celebrate their community’s 32nd annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Victoria Mora, Tim Merritt, Melissa Thoftne and husband, Shannon, took up the challenge of designing and building the float for one of the largest such parades in Texas.
Still known locally as the “1960 St. Patrick’s Parade” for the artery renamed Cypress Creek Parkway, the event benefits the Cypress Creek EMS and turns out thousands of enthusiastic celebrants along the route no matter the name — or the weather.
••• Beth Wolff Realtors, Real Living’s Holley Madden and Lauren Walker were proud model moms for the are Wizard of Oz Children’s Fashion Show benefitting the Houston Symphony. Abby Madden and Charlie Walker were runway naturals of Macy’s fashions at the River Oaks Country Club event. Of course, long-time symphony advocate Beth Wolff, broker/owner, was on hand with her granddaughter, Brooke Shemwell, to volunteer. Ursula Meunzel assisted in the Instrument Petting Zoo giving children the opportunity to play symphony instruments.
••• Just in time for spring closet cleaning, Dress for Success kicked off its S.O.S. (Send One Suit) clothing drive with a fashion show. It’s no surprise that John Daugherty, Realtors exec Cheri Fama, a strong supporter of the organization, was again front and center.
The show featured Dress for Success clients modeling professional attire with the focus on the clients who have successfully completed the organization’s professional job consulting services and are now employed.
Fama, who said she is particularly passionate about this cause, is again hosting an annual clothing drive at the company’s office through the end of March.
She encourages agents and other to donate gently worn professional apparel — but also buy new shoes, hosiery, handbags and other items necessary to complete a successful appearance.
John Daugherty, Realtors is one of 145 companies serving as collection points for the drive.
••• Rita Santamaria, founder and CEO of Champions School of Real Estate, reported another big event in that organization’s growing relationship with residential real estate mogul and
Shark Tank host Barbara Corcoran, noting their Austin seminar earlier this month set new attendance records. The event was kicked off by Kim Dydalewicz, president, who introduced her friend, Logan Stout, professional baseball player, author, motivator and coach to entrepreneurs. Santamaria then brought out Corcoran at the UT AT&T Conference Center.
“Social media went crazy as the night was alive with excited attendees,” Santamaria said.
••• Share your news about the good things Realtors and residential real estate offices are doing in our community by sending a brief email with the basic details to realnewshouston@gmail.com for consideration for a future column.