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Los Gatos/Saratoga District Pumpkin Auction Raises Over $4,400 for Charity


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Friday, October 4, 2013

This year's Los Gatos/Saratoga District Pumpkin Auction, held Wednesday, successfully raised over $4,400 for charity, thanks to the dedicated efforts and generosity of members. Money raised will go to Operation Reindeer, a program members of the district have supported for over 20 years to make the holiday season brighter for needy families and seniors in the community.

Operation Reindeer is funded by individual donations from the REALTORS® and affiliates and a portion of the proceeds from the district's annual pumpkin auction. In addition to monetary contributions, many volunteers devote time to shop, wrap and deliver presents and food certificates to needy families in the area.

At the start of the auction, Jim Hamilton, who served as auctioneer, explained the importance of the program to members and asked them to be generous. "We are in a business that provides us the opportunity to do the things we want to do and provide for our families," said Hamilton. He noted many of the presents provided to families are items that other families take for granted, like clothes, shoes, underwear.

"Remember where it's going, remember Christmas, remember the kids," Hamilton reminded SILVAR members throughout the event. So SILVAR members gave, and they gave generously.

SILVAR and the Los Gatos/Saratoga District thanks all members who donated and generously bid on the items. Thank you to Keller Williams - Los Gatos Estates, Sereno Group, Alain Pinel REALTORS® - Los Gatos, Alain Pinel REALTORS® - Saratoga, Jo Preston from Asante Real Estate Group, and Coldwell Banker - Los Gatos and Saratoga for their generous pumpkin package donations. A special thanks to Mark Von Kaenel and his Keller Williams – Los Gatos agents for the three luxury pumpkin gift packages that included a San Jose Sharks Pumpkin ($350 value), with Sharks-themed merchandise, like two tickets to the San Jose Sharks vs. LA Kings game, two top player t-shirts, eight etched drinking glasses, an autographed team picture, etc.; a "Techie" Pumpkin ($780 value), loaded with the following hi-tech amenities: 16GB white Apple iPad mini, 2GB red iPod shuffle, Jawbone JamBOX--The SMART Speaker, plus a sleek techno silver glass pumpkin; and the Los Gatos DIVA Pumpkin ($1,200 value), with a "Los Gatos" theme featuring a two-stay for two at the Hotel Los Gatos, a signature massage from The Los Gatos Spa, Dustin David Salon hair treatment, cut and products, Forbes Mill and She She Shoes gift cards, and two bottles of BV wine.

Thanks, too, to District Chair Karen Trolan, to Diane Chandler and Christ Morris for helping at the event, and to the very entertaining auctioneer Jim Hamilton, who worked hard to drive up those bids.

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The Silicon Valley Association of REALTORS® (SILVAR) is a professional trade organization representing over 4,000 REALTORS® and Affiliate members engaged in the real estate business on the Peninsula and in the South Bay. SILVAR promotes the highest ethical standards of real estate practice, serves as an advocate for homeownership and homeowners, and represents the interests of property owners in Silicon Valley.

The term "REALTOR®" is a registered collective membership mark which identifies a real estate professional who is a member of the National Association of REALTORS® and who subscribes to its strict Code of Ethics.

For further information, please contact Rose Meily at SILVAR Public Affairs, email , or phone (408) 200-0109.

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