REALTORS® give back to community children
Amanda Oboza
The REALTORS® of greater Lansing are constantly going above and beyond to give back to their community. Whether it's through serving on boards and committees, monetary donations, or "boots on the ground" volunteering, REALTORS® do whatever it takes to make a real difference in the community.
The Women's Council of Realtors® (WCR) takes that responsibility very seriously. The organization, which is the 12th largest professional women's organization in the U.S., is a network of REALTORS® and real estate related professionals dedicated to advancing women as leaders in business, the industry, and the communities they serve.
Wanda Williams, REALTOR® with Century 21 Cedarwood, is the president of the Lansing WCR, and says community involvement is at the core of their mission. The organization holds two major fundraising initiatives a year, and their first of 2017 benefited the Boys & Girls Club of Lansing.
"This was our first time working with the Boys & Girls Club, and I'm so honored we were able to raise funds for this amazing organization that does so much for Lansing area children," said Williams. "We chose the club after being inspired by the National Association of REALTORS® partnership with Boys & Girls Clubs of America."
In 2016, the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) began a collaboration with Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) in an effort to strengthen communities and support the country's youth. In a press release issued by NAR, 2016 President Tom Salomone said the cause has been close to his heart for many years.
"Every REALTOR® knows building strong communities is an important part of the job, and working with BGCA allows us the chance to contribute meaningfully to the lives of children in the neighborhoods we help to create," he said.
The Lansing WCR took on the task of raising funds for the Boys & Girls Club of Lansing, and on Monday, June 26, they had the opportunity to tour the club and present them with a check for $1,000.
Funds were raised through ticket sales from the WCR's Race for the Roses Kentucky Derby event held at Eagle Eye Banquet Center. Attendees were encouraged to dress derby style for the evening, which included a full dinner, DJ, and live and silent auction led by Bill Sheridan of Sheridan Realty & Auction Company.
"It was such a fun evening and a great way for local REALTORS® to gather together for a worthy cause," said Williams. "Not only were we able to raise much needed funds, but we were also hopefully able to raise some awareness and inspire others to get involved in the Boys & Girls Club or other community organizations."
The WCR's second event for 2017 will be a murder mystery dinner held in the fall that will benefit the mammography department of Sparrow hospital.
"REALTORS® are about so much more than simply buying and selling houses," said Williams. "We are passionate about the communities in which we live and work, and it's important for each of us to get involved in whatever way we can."