Event Coverage
Operation Reindeer Makes Holidays Brighter for Needy Families and Seniors
Realtors and affiliates from SILVAR's Los Gatos/Saratoga District embarked on Operation Reindeer last week in their annual effort to make the holiday season brighter for 56 families and 23 seniors in the surrounding communities.
For more than 20 years, in conjunction with the Red Cross, the schools and the churches, SILVAR Realtors and affiliates have shopped for gifts and delivered them to needy families in the area. Coordinated by Sharon Butler, branch manager of Indymac Bank in Los Gatos, the program involves more than 15 companies associated with the real estate industry in the West Valley area.
Butler said Operation Reindeer is special to the Realtors and affiliates because all the labor involved is voluntary and everything donated goes directly to needy families and seniors in their communities.
"We live and work here and it is one way we can give back to those who are less fortunate in our communities," said Butler.
The families in need and seniors are identified by the schools, senior centers, churches and the American Red Cross. "Nurses in the schools give names of kids whom they see struggling, those who are cold and without warm clothes, those who have no lunch money or those who have emotional problems," explained Jim Huber, a volunteer with the Red Cross for the past 17 years.
Huber helped Mark Miano, a Realtor with Alain Pinel Realtors, Donald Newhall with Village Square, Kym Prouty and Celeste Martino of Indymac sort presents collected from the surrounding offices last week. The presents were then delivered to the families and seniors over the weekend.
Miano, who has been involved with the program for the past 13 years, said the needs are always present in the communities. "It never changes from year to year. There are always people out of work, single parents that may get very sick and unable to support or care for their children and kids raising themselves because their parent has a mental illness or a physical disability."
"This project has some deep roots in our offices," said Miano. "People pay attention. They know despite it being a tougher year that their own kids will be receiving iPods for Christmas and they will be going on vacation, while kids sitting next to their kid in school may not have food or toys this Christmas. We know we have to pick up the slack."
December is really hard for the needy, said Huber. "The holiday season puts lots of pressure on families. There are childcare issues, higher utility bills because of the winter. The real estate agents are extremely amazing in their generosity from year to year."
The Red Cross volunteer said this year times are especially tough. The Red Cross is accepting new toys for the children and food is a priority. Gift certificates for food are especially useful.
"These kids need to know that there's someone out there looking out for them. It gives them hope, which is pretty hard to have when they are in the situation they are in," said Miano.
Operation Reindeer is funded by individual donations from the Realtors and affiliates and a portion of the proceeds from the Los Gatos/Saratoga District's annual Pumpkin Auction, which is held in October. In addition to monetary contributions, many volunteers give their time to shop, wrap and help distribute presents and food certificates. The Realtors estimated the program will benefit about 400 people this holiday season.
"Despite it being a tougher year for people in our industry, it's great to see that people have taken it upon themselves to donate food and gifts during the holiday season," said Martino. "It leaves you with a great feeling and that's what the spirit of giving is all about."
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.
For further information, please email or call the SILVAR office at (408) 200-0100.