Our real estate agents spend so much time in the areas they serve, both working and living, so it’s no surprise that many of them look for ways to give back to those communities.

The Charitable Foundation, a nonprofit organization run by our very own agents, is just one of the many ways that our agents give back. 

Through events in each county that we serve, our agents work hard all year long to give back to their communities. Additionally, some of our agents take it upon themselves to do their own community work.

Here are some of the charitable highlights from 2018. If you’ve made a commitment to giving back in 2019, learn more about The Charitable Foundation and the hard work they do in your communities.

San Diego

Heads or AleSmith

This event, hosted at local San Diego brewery AleSmith, included games, a wine pull, silent auction, and live music and over $14,000 was raised for Shelter to Soldier. With these proceeds, a service dog will be adopted and trained for a veteran in need. The sponsors for the event were Impact Marketing, First American Home Warranty, Pickford Escrow, Farmers Insurance, Dee Sign, Stone Contracting, Guild Mortgage, and Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties.

30 years of service

In 2018, San Diego REALTOR® and philanthropist Rosamaria Acuna celebrated the close of her 30th year in business by fundraising more than $30,000 for local nonprofits. This past year alone, she spearheaded a neighborhood watch program and dedicated her time and resources to various charitable initiatives, often as a fundraiser, sponsor, emcee, or honoree, resulting in more than $30,000 in donations and hundreds of volunteer hours. Recipients include the Friends of Scott Foundation, San Diego Rescue Mission, Noah Homes, and Sunset Cliffs Natural Park, as well as Friends of Scott’s annual children’s carnival at Rady Children’s Hospital.

Freedom Dogs

On Sunday, December 2, 2018, Cher Conner & Associates joined the annual La Jolla Christmas Parade & Holiday Festival with attendees from all over San Diego. Cher and her team, including Carly Keene and Carol Wootton, marched with their favorite charity, Freedom Dogs. This nonprofit trains specialty service dogs for the Marines at Camp Pendleton who are suffering from PTSD.

Orange County

Giving in Style

This sold-out event was a fashion show featuring our agents and even President and CEO Mary Lee Blaylock on the catwalk. Over $12,000 was raised for two charities: The Joyful Child, in memory of Samantha Runion, and The Seal Dog.  Thank you to sponsors DeeSign, Opes Advisors, Impact Marketing, Pickford Escrow, Loans Direct, The Obrand Law Group, First American, Farmers Insurance, US Bank, Hartmann Law Firm, HomeServices Lending, The Avfund Group, and Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties.

Fall into Giving

Serving as a thank you to agents who donate and an invitation for agents to sign up to give regular contributions, this event was fully sponsored by US Bank, UAMC, Pickford Escrow, Weston Automotive, and HomeServices Lending. Although not an official fundraiser, nearly $2,250 was raised, which will go towards future grants to charities.

Walk to Defeat ALS

Orange County REALTOR® Brenda McCroskey has participated in the ALS Walk every year for the last 10 years. In 2018, The Charitable Foundation donated $1,500 through a grant to Brenda’s ALS Team. Brenda became involved in this wonderful organization after her dad, James H. Copeland, passed away from this horrible and currently incurable disease. This is an exciting opportunity for us to work together to support those affected by ALS and to spread awareness of the urgency to find treatments and a cure. 

Los Angeles

In 2018, the Los Angeles chapter of The Charitable Foundation raised a total of $128,800 for 89 local nonprofits through events and fundraising. The nonprofits include Children of the Night, Dress for Success, Hands for Hope, The Rescue Train, and more. A complete list can be found here.

Ventura

Comedy for a Cause

Raising nearly $5,000, this comical event was sponsored by National Property Inspections, HomeServices Lending, and Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties.

Santa Barbara

A Magical Evening in September

The Santa Barbara chapter of The Charitable Foundation had their first event this year and it was a huge success! Free to all our agents, the night was hosted at a board member’s home and consisted of a wine pull and raffle. At the end of the night, over $8,200 was raised for local charities. The night was fully sponsored by Chicago Title, First American, Cornerstone Home Lending, Jhonny’s Pest Control, O’Connor Pest Control, and Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties.

Overall, 2018 was a great year for giving back. Thank you to all our agents who worked hard to give back to the communities they serve. To learn more about The Charitable Foundation and the events they host, visit their website.