Event Coverage
Los Gatos/Saratoga District’s Pumpkin Auction Yields $4,000 for Needy Families in the Area
In the true spirit of giving, SILVAR Realtors and affiliates raised over $4,000 dollars for Operation Reindeer and the Second Harvest Food Bank at the District's Pumpkin Auction this week.
The mood was jovial as Los Gatos/Saratoga District Chair Brian Crane and auctioneer Frank Oliver encouraged everyone to bid and bid high. "Every dime we raise here goes directly to the children - for gifts and food," Crane reminded everyone "So we encourage you all to be generous."
And SILVAR members were generous. Realtors and affiliates bid actively on unique and beautifully decorated pumpkins and fall arrangements. Many of the items were especially hand-made by the members and included special prizes, like theater/game tickets, dinner for a group of people, overnight stays at plush hotels and gift certificates to upscale restaurants in the area.
The District has supported Operation Reindeer for many years. Operation Reindeer, a program through the Red Cross, helps about 100 families in the area with food, clothing and gifts for the holidays. Sharon Butler, who organizes the program each year, said the Realtors' 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 their time to shop, wrap and help distribute presents and food certificates.
Another portion of the proceeds will go to Second Harvest Food Bank, a private non-profit organization that collects and distributes more than 30 million pounds of food throughout the year to low-income children, adults and seniors in the area.
Los Gatos/Saratoga District's Pumpkin Auction has been a longtime tradition, according to Val Brand, a Realtor with Village Square Realty in Los Gatos. Brand coordinates the annual pumpkin auction and other community events for the district. She said was very pleased with the turn-out, as Realtors and affiliates filled the seats at Willow Street Pizza, the venue of the auction and the weekly Realtor tour meetings. Brand noted, even though times have been somewhat lean this year, there was no trouble raising funds for both programs.
Through the efforts of local Realtors and local agencies, Brand said "spirits are a bit brighter for a number of families and seniors who would otherwise have faced a bleak holiday season."
"It's an opportunity for SILVAR Realtors to give back to the community and help those in need. Through the Pumpkin Auction and other events held by SILVAR and the different districts, we are constantly trying to generate money in order to better the lives of people in need," added Crane.
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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.
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