What does the word Realtor® mean to you? One could argue that traditionally, Realtors® have been seen simply as part of the real estate transaction, but beyond that, there was really no love lost. An out of sight, out of mind kind of philosophy, if you will.
The Greater Lehigh Valley Realtors® (GLVR) and its members are aiming to change that image of yesterday’s Realtor®. As GLVR’s CEO, Justin Porembo, always says, “We’re not just here for the transaction, we’re here to help build the community. We soon hope the word ‘community’ comes to mind when you think of our Realtor® members.”
To that end, GLVR is excited to announce the creation of its Quarterly Community Events Program, which will take place in concert with charitable organizations throughout the Greater Lehigh Valley. The events are a joint effort between GLVR’s Young Professional Network, Diversity Committee, and Affiliate Committee.
The Quarterly Community Events Program came to fruition after a successful Halloween-themed scavenger hunt in October 2016 that raised money and supplies for the Third Street Alliance for Women and Children in Easton.
“After the event, many members contacted us and expressed interest in helping with future community-based events,” said Tammy Lerner, GLVR’s Sales Director. “They saw the impact that just one tiny event could have, and they wanted to continue that positive community impact, in whatever form that may be.”
For the first quarter of 2017, a blood drive was held in partnership with Miller Keystone Blood Bank. Future community outreach events will include:
- Cleaning up parks in Carbon, Lehigh, and Northampton counties.
- A Team walk, for the March of Dimes.
- Game day with the Boys and Girls Club of Bethlehem.
- A Summer art opening at the Bradbury-Sullivan LGBT Community Center of Allentown.
- A Halloween party in partnership with Autism Speaks.
- A food drive for the Second Harvest Food Bank.
“The Greater Lehigh Valley Realtors® is proud to have several committee and task force members step up and take part in multiple community outreach events this year,” said Matthew Marks, GLVR’s Government Affairs Director and liaison to the YPN group and Diversity Committee. “Realtors® serve their clients and assist them in obtaining the American dream of home ownership and becoming part of a community, so it is only natural for our members to continue engaging with families and organizations throughout GLVR’s footprint.”
Charities interested in learning how to partner with GLVR can e-mail Tammy Lerner, Sales Director, at Tammy@GLVR.org.
