Event Coverage
Palo Alto Realtors celebrate 2006 with Fall Fling
SILVAR's Palo Alto District held its Fall Fling Dec. 4 at the Palo Alto Masonic Temple. The event celebrated a year of achievements, camaraderie, served as a thank you to committee heads for all their work in 2006 and provided an opportunity for members to explore leadership opportunities.
The following 2006 committee members and chairs were honored for their work throughout the year: Dulcy Freeman of Coldwell Banker and Martine Heyer-Boot of Keller Williams, Tour /Marketing Committee; Nadr Essabhoy of Alain Pinel Realtors, Local Government Relations Committee; Nancy MacLeod of Homes 2 Buy.Com, District Council Committee; John St. Clair of Alain Pinel, Realtor Service Volunteer Program Committee (RSVP); Michael Hall of Alain Pinel Realtors, Community Outreach Committee; Dennis Fullerton of Old Republic Title Compan), Affiliate Chair; Yvelle Green of Brooke Insurance & Financial, Affiliate Committee; Julia Keady of Cashin Company, Membership; David Olerich of Alain Pinel Realtors, Dante Drummond and Leannah Hunt, both of Coldwell Banker, and Carrole Phillips of Keller Williams, Council Members; Timothy Foy of Midtown Realty, Technology/Education Committee; and Lisa Wittkoph of Old Republic Title, chair of the Fall Fling..
Michael Hall served as the master of ceremonies at a celebration, which had an Oscar theme. Hall thanked all the committee heads for the many hours they dedicated to the district year-round to accomplish their specific committee tasks. Hall said Palo Alto Realtors and affiliates had participated throughout the year in many activities that assist youth and seniors in the community.
A major highlight of the year was over $60,000 donation by the district's Realtors and affiliates to the Palo Alto Unified School District (PAUSD) from their successful Palo Alto Realtors® Campaign for Partners in Education (PIE). Hall said over the past five years, SILVAR Realtors and affiliates have donated over $250,000 to the school district. Hall said the target goal for next year's campaign, which is scheduled to start in the spring of 2007, is $75,000, and he challenged every Realtor and affiliate of the district to help meet this goal.
During the check presentation to the schools this year, Hall said, "As Realtors, as professionals who help people buy real estate, we know the contributions the schools make. The number one question our clients ask before purchasing a home is schools. Our sellers reap benefits because of the great quality of our schools and we acknowledge the role our schools play in the process. Children are the hope of our future. Their education is the key to success in the work place."
Another successful program undertaken by Palo Alto Realtors and affiliates, along with their in the other SILVAR districts is RSVP - Realtor Service Volunteer Program. St. Clair reported that 107 volunteers from the Palo Alto District served 55 homes in 2006, an 86 percent increase over the previous year.
Dennis Fullerton, Affiliate chair, encouraged SILVAR affiliates to get involved in the various committees, noting, "We are all interdependent on each other," said Fullerton. "When you are at the table, it is better that the person seated across from you is someone you know than someone you don't know.
District members then thanked Adam Atito, 2006 Palo Alto District Chair. Atito, who is with Keller Williams, also reported the year was very successful and thanked members for their valuable contributions and participation. Throughout 2006, Atito has represented the district on the Silicon Valley Association of Realtors® Board of Directors and served as California Association of Realtors® director. The district chair position is for one year. Julia Keady (Cashin Company) will assume the 2007 Palo Alto District Chair position.
The Palo Alto District has approximately 421Realtor members and 45 affiliate members.
The District thanks the following sponsors for their support of a very successful evening: Gold Stars - Palo Alto Weekly, Palo Alto District Members, Patricia Smith Extravaganza Catering, Coldwell Banker, R.E.M. Media Solutions by Manie; Silver Stars - Absolute Mortgage Banking, Alain Pinel Realtors, Michaela's Flowershop, Old Republic Title Holding Co., Trish Fullerton Design, Palo Alto Affiliate Bank; Bronze Stars - Allied Brokers Insurance, Keller Williams Realty, Alhouse King/KellerWilliams Realty, Chicago Title, Cornerstone Title Company, Country Wide Home Loans, First American Title Company, Lane Cleaning Janitorial Service, Princeton Capital, Taylor Properties, Cashin Company and Wells Fargo Home Mortgage.
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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.
For further information, please email or call the SILVAR office at (408) 200-0100.