‘Habitat’ Captures Hearts and Hands of PA REALTORS®

Make a Wish, Heifer International, the American Heart Association, the March of Dimes – the list of worthy charities requesting donations seems neverending. REALTORS® are tugged in many directions when it comes to deciding what charities their businesses and associations should support.

Habitat for Humanity is a charity near and dear to many REALTORS® and their local associations and boards. Founded in 1976, the organization took off when former President Jimmy Carter and first lady Rosalynn became deeply involved. Since then, Habitat has built more than 200,000 houses in more than 3,000 communities worldwide.

According to a recent PAR survey on affordable housing, many local associations have worked and are currently working with Habitat.  Nearly half of the sample indicated they took part in building and a large majority provide financial contributions to local Habitat home builds.

The Bucks County Association of REALTORS® recently started a partnership with its local Habitat, according to Ken Krauter, BCAR Habitat chair. “There are a lot of great causes out there,” he notes. “But raising money for Habitat stays in our county.”

An enthusiastic organizer, Krauter says BCAR’s goal is to raise $100,000 and to have an ongoing relationship with Habitat. “We’ve asked everyone to give $25 for each of their next four transactions,” Krauter explains. “We’re not asking anyone to give $100 up front,” he adds. “We’re asking them to ‘tithe’ and in return they’ll receive a media kit to help them promote their participation.”

Della Csehoski, association executive for Cambria-Somerset Association, says her members participate in builds and sponsor a golf outing to raise funds.

In 2004, the Greater Harrisburg Association raised $50,000 to build a home in the Harrisburg area. “We used money raised through our capital campaign,” says Kathy Ludwig, executive vice president. “We asked every member to give $10 toward the campaign and the money is used to fund various charities. We wanted to have more impact, so we sponsor a house every other year.”

As part of their fund-raising activities, GHAR asks other companies to sponsor a portion of the house -- the foundation, cabinets or roof, for example.   

GHAR is working with the Cumberland Valley Habitat this year to raise $64,000 to sponsor a home. They broke ground earlier this year and volunteers from the association have assisted in the home’s construction. The family is expected to move in this month.

REALTORS® of York and Adams County also have a successful program with the York Habitat. RAYAC sponsors a build every three years with the next slated for 2008.

“This year we’ve taken on the challenge of working more closely with the Adams County Habitat as well,” says RAYAC Chair Dennis Harbold. RAYAC gave $10,000 to a build in Adams County.

RAYAC members participate in builds and run annual bowl-a-thons and golf outings to raise funding for Habitat. “We’re looking at another fund-raiser for the fall,” Harbold says. “For the first time we want to do a miniature golf outing,” he adds. “And we’re looking at a pocket change contest which would be held for four months. This would involve collection cans located in banks, brokers’ offices and affiliates so people could donate excess pocket change.”

RAYAC believes in the importance of Habitat’s mission. “This is the charity we give the most to,” explains Harbold. “We take it very seriously. Habitat provides homes to less fortunate families who might not otherwise be able to afford one.”