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Another Successful HIF Home for the HolidaysDonations continue to pour in from yet another successful HIF Home for the Holidays. The ninth annual Home for the Holidays drew nearly 500 people to The Avalon Club in Santa Clara last Thursday in support of SILVAR's largest charitable event of the year. 
Most of those in attendance wore colorful costumes as part of the event's Halloween theme. The evening featured a gourmet buffet, live and silent auctions, a raffle and dancing to live music by the Garage Band. Brian Bernasconi (Alain Pinel Realtors) and Dave Eshelman (Finenet Mortgage) served as Masters of Ceremonies and Adam Gottstein was the auctioneer. There was much to celebrate as many people, in the true spirit of giving, participated in the live and silent auctions. The winner of the big raffle item - a $2,500 trip for two to Puerto Vallarta - was Jack Soma (Coldwell Banker -Cupertino). Funds SILVAR Realtors and Affiliates raise during Home for the Holidays go directly to the Housing Industry Foundation (HIF), a non-profit charity which helps individuals and families in Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties either remain in, or return to stable housing. Emergency Housing Grants, which are at the core of HIF's homeless prevention program, assist individuals or families with rent, mortgage, utilities, security deposits and certain repairs on a one-time emergency basis. 
"It's always a great party and people seemed to have a good time. There was lots of participation and it was fun to see so many people in costumes," Debbie Wade, HIF executive director remarked. Wade said funds raised by SILVAR in the charitable event make up 20 percent of HIF's budget. "HIF is thrilled to have SILVAR as such a close partner. We're very grateful," said Wade. "If you missed the ninth annual Home for the Holidays benefit for the Housing Industry Foundation, you really missed out on a good time for a worthwhile cause," said Dale Anne Collings (Coldwell Banker), who co-chaired the HIF planning committee with Robert Reid (Keller Williams). "I have never had so many positive comments from those who attended about how much fun they had, how great the decorations were, how tasty the food was, what fabulous auction items we had, how good the band was. I'm so excited to be affiliated with this event since it benefits our own local communities." Wade, Collings and Reid thanked everyone who participated in the event, especially the sponsors, donors and volunteers. 
"I would really like to thank the many people who participated to make the event possible, especially the planning committee that worked so hard for many months and the sponsors and donors and people who attended," said Wade. "The volunteers work so hard all year to organize the benefit, and the Realtors and Affiliates are wonderful at supporting the event with donations, sponsorships, and then participating in the auctions at the event itself," said Collings. "It really was a great evening. My thanks to all who participated. We couldn't have done it without you!" A big thanks to sponsors of this year's event, especially the following major sponsors: Coldwell Banker of Northern California, Home Loan Experts (A Division of World Savings), Siamack Shariat/Banker's Network, Keller Williams Realty (Cupertino and Palo Alto offices), The Sereno Group, American First Realtors, Bank of America and Alain Pinel Realtors. Many thanks to members of the planning committee for time spent and their hard work in making the event a success. They include Robert Reid (Keller Williams), Dale Anne Collings (Coldwell Banker), Sharon Butler (Silver State Mortgage) Mark Falcone, (Countrywide Home Loans) Diane Fiorina (Cort Furniture Rental), Jackie Jackson (Coldwell Banker), Steve Kim (Bank of America) Kay Maurer (Home Loan Experts),Tina Medeiros (Keller Williams), Michael Miehe (Stewart Title), Kim Nettleman (First American Exchange), JoAnn Ong ( The Staging Crew), Diana Parham (Intero), Diane Renna (Old Republic Title) Mickey Shaevitz (Coldwell Banker) and SILVAR Development Director Kelly Dadsetan. |
