Everyone knows real estate agents and brokers have their ears to the ground when it comes to the local market, and because of that, they are often passionate about their neighborhoods and the people that work and live there.
So when there is a need, it’s not surprising that it brings out the best in the real estate community. Across the country, these volunteers have a real and valuable positive effect on the wellbeing and success of individuals in their communities. A few of their stories were shared when real estate and industry professionals recently gathered in San Diego at the Realtors® Conference & Expo (NAR) – the largest industry event for real estate professionals.
Every year, during the conference, the National Association of Realtors® recognizes a handful of its members for going above and beyond helping people buy and sell homes and championing local causes that help make a difference in the lives of others. They are the Good Neighbors.
About NAR’s Good Neighbor Awards
NAR’s Good Neighbor Awards launched in 2000 and has since recognized nearly 200 Realtors® for their service to their communities and neighbors.
For 25 years, Realtor.com® has been a partner to real estate professionals, and not just in business. Like many of you, we want to be a powerful force for good, and we share a commitment with the Good Neighbor Award winners to do purposeful work and give back to our communities. Nearly 100 million people visit our site each month to get started buying, selling, or renting homes. As one of the country’s largest online real estate portal, we share a deep sense of obligation to do great work and serve others. It’s why we remain focused on issues like fair and accessible housing and we’re proud to be the Good Neighbor Awards’ primary sponsor.
Every year, five Good Neighbor Award recipients receive $10,000 for their charity or project. Additionally, five honorable mentions each receive a $2,500 grant for their community cause. Realtor.com® promotes the program across social media, runs a full-page ad in the Wall Street Journal, and awards additional grant money to the three Good Neighbors who receive the most votes in our Web Choice Favorites promotion. This year, nearly 123,000 votes were cast.
The 2021 Good Neighbor Award Winners
The 2021 Web Choice Favorite is Brent Gieseke, who will receive an additional $2,500 donation to his cause, Agape Pamoja. Since 2018, Brent has helped Agape Pamoja acquire and renovate 24 homes, also called “Blessing Houses,” to shelter new refugee families settling in Kansas City. He also runs a teen leadership group that helps young refugees acclimate and thrive in the U.S.
Runners-up Raymond Siddell and Denny and Linda Moore each received an additional $1,250 for their causes. Raymond mobilized the emergency response after a derecho – a storm often compared to an inland hurricane – damaged 90% of the homes and buildings in his hometown of Cedar Rapids, Iowa. While leading the relief efforts, Raymond discovered an underlying food insecurity in the community and founded a permanent nonprofit, Together We Achieve, which has distributed 1.2 million pounds of food. Denny Moore and Linda Ellsworth-Moore volunteer with Child and Family Charities, a nonprofit supporting children in need since 2004. The couple has raised $345,000 and collects donations of school supplies, clothing, and holiday gifts, with a special emphasis on bikes for foster children.
While giving back to individuals and communities has always been at the heart of the real estate community and Realtor.com, these stories of volunteering and selflessness demonstrate that there is no sacrifice too great when it comes to reaching out with a helping hand – especially when it comes from the heart.
Realtor.com® chief marketing officer Mickey Neuberger was at this year’s awards ceremony to present checks to the three Web Choice Favorites and to help recognize the award winners and honorable mentions.
“The Good Neighbor winners bring and hold communities together, especially during hard times like the ones we’ve been through this year, ” he said. “These awards exemplify our spirit of volunteerism – I was inspired and moved to tears by the stories of the Realtors® who have gone above and beyond to help others in need, and I was proud to celebrate and recognize the impact they’ve had.”
Mickey Neuberger, CMO, Realtor.com®
Congratulations to the award winners and honorable mentions; they are a bright spot and cause for hope during a challenging year, and we hope their stories inspire you to get more involved in your local community if you aren’t already.
Are you or someone you know doing great work serving the community? Nominate yourself or someone else today. To learn about the awards or hear more of the winners’ stories, visit www.nar.realtor/good-neighbor-awards, they are guaranteed to make you smile.
