REALTOR® Volunteers recognized for compassion, advocacy
VANCOUVER, B.C., March 29, 2010 -- Four REALTORS® have been recognized for their deep commitment to various charitable and advocacy causes in their communities in 2009
Allan DeGenova, John Grasty, Arnold Shuchat and Marianne Wilson were each recipients of 2009 REALTORS Care® Awards during the President’s Recognition Dinner hosted by the Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV).
The REALTORS® Care Award is presented annually to REALTORS® in Greater Vancouver who work and advocate for their communities through fundraising or volunteer activities.
DeGenova, of Sutton Group West Coast Realty, served as the 2009 president of the Honour House Society, which will provide temporary housing for families of wounded military personnel and local first responders. Honour House will open on Remembrance Day. He’s also a director of the Vancouver Resource Society, which secures housing for people with disabilities.
John Grasty, of Prudential Sterling Realty, is a tireless homeowner advocate who served as the 2009 president for the Consumer Advocacy and Support for Homeowners Society. He also serves on the national advisory council for Canadians for Properly Built Homes.
Shuchat, of Multiple Realty Ltd., helped raise $42,000 for the Richmond Jewish Day School and the Louis Brier Foundation for the Aged by organizing a hugely successful second edition of last year’s ‘Battle of the Bands’ fundraiser.
Wilson, of Royal LePage Black Tusk Realty, is a founding director and the 2009 president of the Squamish Community Foundation. She has created REALTOR®-funded local initiatives such as a shelter fund and a program that collects weekly donations from REALTORS® for the local food bank.
“These four individuals are true difference makers in their communities, they give tirelessly and their efforts improve the lives of people in need,” Jake Moldowan, REBGV president said.
Each year, REALTORS® donate time, enthusiasm and money to numerous charitable and volunteer causes. In 2008, REALTORS® donated $2.6 million to charity.