Event Coverage
Menlo Park/Atherton District Holiday Party Raises Over $18,700 for M-A Partnership for Success
More than 80 SILVAR members filled a room at LB Steak in Menlo Park on Tuesday evening to celebrate the Menlo Park/Atherton District's annual Holiday Party. This year members celebrated more than the year's achievements at the event. They celebrated the life of the late Steve Bellumori, a longtime REALTOR® and SILVAR member, with a silent auction, whose funds would go to the M-A Partnership for Success, of which Bellumori was a strong advocate and supporter. By the end of the night, members were able to raise more than $18,700, a tribute to a friend and colleague they described as "passionate," an "agent's agent," and "mentor."
Bellumori was an early Menlo-Atherton High School Foundation Board member and remained committed to the cause of supporting economically challenged students in the community throughout his life. The M-A Partnership for Success is a project of the Menlo-Atherton High School Foundation for the Future that connects at-risk students with comprehensive services on and off campus.
Wendy McPherson, broker manager of the Coldwell Banker Menlo Park and Woodside/Portola Valley offices, paid tribute to Bellumori and thanked members, particularly District Chair Lehua Greenman for organizing the event. Cindy Folker, who represented the Menlo-Atherton High School Foundation Board, also spoke highly of Bellumori's dedication to the school and thanked members for holding the fundraiser for M-A Partnership for Success. The evening was jubilant as members, close friends and even past clients of Bellumori dropped by. They were also treated to a musical performance by students from the Menlo-Atherton High School choral group.
The silent auction later progressed to a live auction with the jovial Ken DeLeon of DeLeon Realty serving as auctioneer. Over $9,600 was raised from the auction and over $7,600 in additional cash donations due to his persistence and the generosity of members. Top bidders included Amy Sung (Pacific Union International Real Estate) and Michael Repka (DeLeon Realty), who both bid and each won a Lake Tahoe Luxury 3-days, 2-nights getaway for four at Squaw Valley Lodge, including a cruise on the lake and lunch, donated by Kirk Bailey of HomeFolio Media. Repka also won the La Quinta Dream Getaway – one week for four in a luxury condominium at Rancho La Quinta Country Club, including a golf package, donated by Lehua Greenman.
Thank you to organizers of this special event - District Chair Lehua Greenman, District Chair-elect Davena Gentry, members who donated the prizes, and those who generously bid on the items and gave cash donations.
SEE LIST OF AUCTION PRIZES AND THEIR DONORS HERE.
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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.
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