Members of three chapters of the Filipino American Real Estate Professionals Association (FAREPA) rallied the support of their peers in the real estate industry and were able to raise $31,000 in donations and pledges at a recent benefit held in Burlingame.
FAREPA San Francisco/Peninsula, Santa Clara County and Alameda County hosted the Gawad Kalinga Benefit at the Embassy Suites on Aug. 10. The event was attended by over 200 representatives of the real estate industry. Funds raised will go to Answering the Cry of the Poor (ANCOP) Foundation, USA, Inc., an international network that supports the Gawad Kalinga ("to give care") project. Gawad Kalinga seeks to transform poverty stricken areas by building 700,000 homes in 7,000 communities, in seven years (2003-2010).
Gawad Kalinga (GK) provides a faith-based holistic approach to poverty alleviation, dealing with all community aspects that include values formation, community organization and involvement, education, basic health care and livelihood programs. Beneficiaries of homes undergo a 13-week values formation course, provide sweat-equity by building their own homes and the homes of their neighbors and abide by the rules of the "Kapitbahayan" (Community Association), which include maintaining cleanliness, peace and order, and upkeep of their village.
It takes approximately $1,500 to build one house in the Philippines. Donations, pledges and silent and live auction bids enabled FAREPA members to reach two-thirds of their $56,000 goal to build 30 homes, along with essential services needed by a community, such as a community center and health center.
The Silicon Valley Association of REALTORS® (SILVAR) donated $600 and was a Silver Sponsor of the event. SILVAR maintains close ties with the FAREPA – Santa Clara County Chapter.
FAREPA Presidents Mae Perez (SF/Peninsula Chapter), Judy Lamar (Santa Clara Chapter) and Dexter Lat (Alameda County Chapter) thanked all the sponsors and donors of Gawad Kalinga.
Theresa Dwyer, a major organizer of the FAREPA - GK benefit and vice president of FAREPA – Santa Clara Chapter, said, "What makes Gawad Kalinga special is the project's inherent goal to tackle the roots of poverty – the absence of shared values, a sense of community and higher purpose. Volunteers use their talents and experience to work together and build a community. Architects and engineers design houses, doctors and nurses tend to community health care, teachers share their knowledge and business leaders become mentors for economic enterprises."
Dwyer, who is also a Realtor with Landmark Properties and vice president of FAREPA - Santa Clara Chapter, added, "It has been almost 25 years since I moved from the Philippines, yet it is impossible for me to escape the harsh reality that millions of our brothers and sisters in our home country are starving to death in poverty. … I am incredibly grateful to be living in the U.S. and working in the field that I love. As individuals, companies and organizations, we have the unique opportunity to collectively contribute to building a FAREPA village."
At the benefit, after Gawad Kalinga International Director Dylan Wilk spoke and showed slides of homes being built and villages created in the Philippines, the following 23 individuals/companies stepped up to the plate and pledged $1,000 or more to the project: Wilma Baltar, Judy Lamar, Edelith Obas, Amy Cardoway, Marilyn Becklehimer, Neria Canonizado, Theresa Dwyer, Tess Crescini, Olivia Cunningham, Green Heights Investment, Michael Macapagal, Robert Concepcion, Thez Santos, Corrie Budnik, Norita Rich, Hank Rosendin, Manny Antipuesto, Mario Vista, Joe Salcedo, Ric Bareng, Jr., Dexter Lat, Merle Laurel and Fely Santiago.
The Filipino American Realtors and affiliates plan to conduct small fundraisers throughout the year to raise the remaining funds needed to complete their goal. To donate to GK, contact Dwyer at (408) 221- 5380.
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 email or call the SILVAR office at (408) 200-0100.