The Arizona REALTORS® Gives Back Statewide Through the “REALTORS® Are Good Neighbors” Initiative
(PHOENIX – Feb. 13, 2023) – The Arizona REALTORS®, the largest trade association in Arizona representing over 55,000 members, is making a difference statewide through the “REALTORS® are Good Neighbors” initiative. This program from the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) encourages members of statewide and local associations to join in on the nationwide philanthropic initiative while maximizing the impact of their volunteer time.
“From monetary donations to blood drives to fire and flood relief, Arizona REALTORS® are doing their part to give back to programs and nonprofit organizations across the state,” says Scott Drucker, CEO of the Arizona REALTORS®. “This outpouring of support from our members not only serves our neighbors but strengthens our communities.”
The Arizona REALTORS® started 2023 off strong by contributing $15k to the Arizona Housing Fund, a dedicated and sustainable funding source for nonprofit agencies that build and operate permanent supportive, low-income, and working poor housing units. This support from the Arizona REALTORS® will ensure that more housing units are constructed that meet the growing needs of the community in Arizona and help contribute to the overall goal to reduce homelessness.
The Association staff also volunteers regularly in Arizona including at St. Mary’s Food Bank and Project C.U.R.E., the world’s largest distributor of donated medical equipment and supplies for hospitals and clinics in under-developed areas of the world, where the Arizona REALTORS® volunteered their time to help pack medical boxes.
Central Arizona Association of REALTORS®
The Central Arizona Association of REALTORS®’ biggest initiative is the Association’s annual food drive with St. Vincent de Paul and the Pine Strawberry Food Bank, which collects desperately needed food items at food boxes placed in locations across Payson. Once collected, the Association then donates $1 for each pound of food, matching up to $15k.
Each year, the Central Arizona Association of REALTORS® also gives back by granting two $2,500 scholarships to graduating seniors from its local community high school. Applications are currently open to 2023 local graduate students, for more information visit www.caaraz.com.
Green Valley Sahuarita Association of REALTORS®
The Green Valley Sahuarita Association of REALTORS® collaborates closely with Salvation Army each year, working together to bell ring at locations across both Green Valley and Sahuarita to earn donations for the organization. The Green Valley Sahuarita Association of REALTORS® has participated in the Salvation Army’s Toy Donation Drive as well, collecting new and unwrapped toys to be distributed to families in the region.
Kingman/Golden Valley Association of REALTORS®
The Kingman/Golden Valley Association of REALTORS® takes part in several different charitable projects and events throughout the year such as blood drives with Vitalant and donation drives with Toys for Tots. The association also engages its membership with fun events like the upcoming “Street Eats on 66” food truck event, which will donate 100 percent of admissions to local charities.
Lake Havasu REALTORS®
Lake Havasu REALTORS® has long raised money and collected school supplies for local schools. Last year, the Association partnered with Lake Havasu City to officially proclaim August 1-7 as Support Our Schools Week.
Lake Havasu REALTORS® has also created the Lake Havasu REALTOR® Olympics, a series of events that gives members the opportunity to give back through fun games like bingo, pickleball, cornhole and more. Last year’s REALTOR® Olympics events raised a total of $26k, which was distributed to various local organization in the city.
Northern Arizona Association of REALTORS
The Northern Arizona Association of REALTORS® comes together every month to volunteer at the Flagstaff Family Food Center to serve meals to men, women and children experiencing food insecurity and hunger locally. The Association capped off 2022 by collecting 693 pounds of food and raising $4,166 for Flagstaff Family Food Center and Adopt a Grandparent.
Flagstaff REALTOR® Travis Joralmon is another shining example of volunteerism as he recently received the Arizona REALTORS® 2022 Community Outreach Award for his volunteer work with Special Olympics Arizona. For over 20 years, Joralmon has served as a devoted coach, Unified Partner, Area Development Committee member and local booster, to positively impact the lives of young men and women who have disabilities.
Through Joralmon’s fundraising efforts and work to partner with local businesses, Special Olympics was able to secure a new venue for the organization’s annual Bare Aspen Wine and Beer Tasting event at the Peaks Senior Living Community in Flagstaff, an event that raised more than $30,000 for the organization.
In 2022, the Northern Arizona Association of REALTORS® along with the Arizona REALTORS® Disaster Assistance Foundation collaborated with the REALTORS® Relief Foundation to make funds available to residents who lost their primary residence or experienced significant damage from the flash floods and fire in Flagstaff, Arizona.
Prescott Area Association of REALTORS®
The Prescott Area Association of REALTORS® established the Caring PAARtners Foundation to help those in need within the community by providing financial assistance to members of the association who have endured difficulties including property damage caused by disasters, unforeseen medical emergencies, bereavement expenses and other economic hardships.
This support extends beyond the membership as the association takes part in multiple giving projects each year across the quad cities in collaboration with organizations and programs like Coats for Kids, the Yavapai Food Bank, Bethany’s Gait, the Chino Valley Food Bank and Prescott Meals on Wheel
Scottsdale REALTORS®
As a Premier Blood Partner, Scottsdale REALTORS® has scheduled and donated venue space for over 17 American Red Cross blood drives. The Association’s recent donations have regularly exceeded collection goals with an average contribution of 36 units per drive for a total of over 617 units.
Additionally, Scottsdale REALTORS® gives back to its own membership through the Member Relief Fund, that provides financial assistance to Scottsdale REALTORS® experiencing a crisis or catastrophic event. Those eligible to apply include Scottsdale REALTORS®, affiliate and staff members as well as their immediate family.
Sedona Verde Valley Association of REALTORS®
The Sedona Verde Valley Association of REALTORS® collaborates with local food pantry Old Town Mission, volunteering monthly to pack boxes of food and also holding food drives throughout the year. In addition, the association holds regular blood drives with Vitalant.
Tucson REALTORS®
Tucson REALTORS® has established the Tucson REALTORS® Charitable Foundation (TRCF), a 501(c)3 non-profit organization which makes funds available to organizations through a grant application process from donations by its REALTOR® and affiliate members and friends. These grants are awarded to multiple local organizations every quarter and awardees most recently include Casa de los Niños, Edge High School, Interfaith Community Services and Youth on Their Own.
TRCF also helps raise funds through a variety of events, including a school supplies drive that raised over $4,000 for Tucson teachers and TRCF’s annual Veteran’s Day Golf Tournament benefitting Habitat for Humanity’s Veterans Build.
Tucson REALTORS® has also supported Habitat for Humanity by taking part in regular build days throughout the year. The Association regularly participates in American Red Cross blood drives too, collecting an average of 22 units per drive.
With support from partners, TRCF is giving back to essential workers as well with the Essential Workers Housing Fund, which grants 2 percent of the first mortgage loan (up to $5,000) to assist with closing costs.
White Mountain Association of REALTORS®
The White Mountain Association of REALTORS® engages members with a wide variety of charitable giving events and volunteer opportunities. Most recently, the association held auctions at member events to benefit the White Mountain Autism Foundation and Tools to Teach initiative. The association also engages members through bell ringing with the local Salvation Army and White Mountain Clothe-a-Child events that garner up to 20 REALTOR® volunteers per session.
Yuma REALTORS®
Through the Yuma REALTORS®’ collaboration with Amberly’s Place, the only family advocacy center in Yuma assisting victims of domestic violence, child abuse, sexual assault and elder abuse, members came together to collect a truckload of toys for the organization and its partner agencies.
Yuma REALTORS® also recently teamed up with the Saguaro Foundation, a local nonprofit serving both children and adults who have disabilities and the behavioral health community, to collect non-perishable food items that were then distributed to the organization’s clientele.
About The Arizona REALTORS®
The Arizona Association of REALTORS® is the largest trade association in Arizona, currently representing over 55,000 Arizona REALTORS®. Its members are active real estate licensees and includes professionals from all areas of the industry – residential, commercial, land and property management. Arizona REALTORS® advocates for protecting private property rights and balancing laws and regulations that impact both property owners and renters. In addition, Arizona REALTORS® work to enhance its members’ ability to represent their clients with integrity and competency. To learn more, visit www.aaronline.com.
