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REALTOR®: REALTOR® Service Volunteer Program observes 12th year

Wednesday, May 22, 2013

During the week of May 6-10, for the 12th consecutive year, Silicon Valley REALTORS® helped seniors and the homebound with household tasks they can no longer do on their own. The free service offered by the REALTORS® one week in May proves invaluable to many seniors who are physically or financially challenged and have few people to rely on for help.

The REALTOR® Service Volunteer Program, popularly called RSVP, was started by members of the Silicon Valley Association of REALTORS® (SILVAR) in 2001 and launched as the local trade association's official outreach program the following year. It has now spread across the Peninsula and South Bay, involving members of other REALTOR® associations, including the San Mateo County Association of REALTORS®, the Santa Clara County Association of REALTORS® and the Santa Cruz County Association of REALTORS®.

This year, over 100 members from SILVAR assisted over 200 senior households who reside in the SILVAR districts of Menlo Park/Atherton, Palo Alto, Los Altos/Mountain View, Cupertino/Sunnyvale and Los Gatos/Saratoga. The seniors, who ranged in age from their early 60s to 100 years old, were more than grateful for the help they received.

In Palo Alto, RSVP volunteers Jeff Beltramo, Lisa Wittkopf and Tom Anderson were busy changing smoke detector and carbon monoxide detector batteries and replacing light bulbs for an 86-year-old homeowner who lives alone and has no relatives to rely on for help. Then there was the jovial gentleman from Menlo Park, who proudly told RSVP volunteers Lehua Greenman, Judi Kiel and Diane Rothe that he would be turning 100 in a few days. He insisted that he still can water his plants and lift weights on his own, but noted he appreciated the volunteers' help washing his windows.

For the volunteers, RSVP means giving back to the community. It's a break from their work and gives them a good feeling that they are helping seniors who have contributed to their community. The volunteers say RSVP helps keeps the seniors safe and allows them to remain independent and living in their homes for as long as they can.

"Many seniors definitely need our assistance. If they can be safe with our help, they can stay in their homes for as long as possible," said Nancy Domich, who has been an RSVP volunteer for the past eight years.

"It's definitely a safety issue for many of them. Their yards get overrun and sometimes they disable the smoke detector, or don't realize it's no longer working. It's our way of letting them know that someone cares," added Kim Copher.

Many seniors value the conversation. "We are also able to provide them with the opportunity to have conversations with other people. Many are lonely and would just like someone to talk to. It's a great satisfaction to listen to them tell their stories," said Rob Milbach.

The REALTOR® volunteers know they are appreciated when they see the smiling faces of the seniors. "You are all wonderful people! Everybody can know that REALTORS® don't just sell homes," a happy senior homeowner exclaimed, as she bade the volunteers goodbye.


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.

Variations of this article have appeared in local area newspapers.

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

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