There's nothing like spreading the spirit of giving with a little good cheer and Halloween fun. Members of the Silicon Valley Association of Realtors did just that at their Los Gatos/Saratoga District meeting in October and raised $6,195. Proceeds from the auction broke records of past years, thanks to the generosity of members, from the individual and companies who donated auction items, to the members who bid generously, and to the skill and persuasiveness of SILVAR Realtor and California Association of Realtors 2005 president Jim Hamilton, who served as this year's auctioneer.
Proceeds from the auction will go to Operation Reindeer, a program the Realtor district has supported for many years. Operation Reindeer helps about 100 families in the area with food, clothing and gifts for the holidays. The district's pumpkin auction provides the seed money to start the Realtor-funded portion of Operation Reindeer. Individual Realtors also contribute to the fund, as well as individual offices from real estate, title and mortgage companies. In addition to monetary contributions, many volunteers give of their time to shop, wrap and help distribute presents and food certificates.
Hamilton, who is with Alain Pinel Realtors Los Gatos, opened the auction with a plea to Realtors to think about the children who, through no fault of their own, are in need. He said when asked what they want for Christmas, many of the children don't ask for big things; instead, they ask for a pair of socks or new pajamas.
"Don't forget that this is for the children. Open your hearts and remember this is for the kids, so they will have a little better Christmas," said Hamilton. "Every single dollar counts. Make this happen for the kids."
So members did, amid a jovial atmosphere. With Hamilton egging them on, they bid actively on unique and beautifully decorated pumpkins and fall and Thanksgiving arrangements. Many of the items were especially handmade by Realtors and included big prizes.
The highest bid was $1,000 by Ed Graziani with Sereno Group for a Large Broomsters display donated by Coldwell Banker Los Gatos. Nicki Banucci with Keller Williams Bay Area Estates bid $900 for a 49er Tailgate Party Basket, which included four club level tickets to a game, a cooler, apron, blanket, pennant. Bryan Russell with Banc Home Loans also bid $900 for a Candle Centerpiece, which also included four 49ers club level tickets.
The district thanked generous donors Alain Pinel Realtors Los Gatos - Jeff Barnett; Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage Los Gatos - Doug Evans; Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage Saratoga - Shawn Carroll; Intero Real Estate Services Los Gatos - Brian Crane; Keller Williams Bay Area Estates - Mark Von Kaenel; Sereno Group - Ryan Iwanaga; Diane Chandler with Alain Pinel Realtors Los Gatos and Jo Preston with Montalvo Ventures Saratoga, who made several of the pumpkin decorations.
The district also thanked Barbara Werner with Keller Williams Bay Area Estates, who led the charge this year, and Chandler and Denise Myrick, also with Keller Williams Bay Area Estates, who helped with the auction. Pelin Erdal with Sereno Group will be heading Operation Reindeer for the Realtors this year.
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.
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