Realtors® in action, giving back to Tehachapi

Throughout the year the Tehachapi Area Association of REALTORS® along with our Affiliates have been busy fundraising for worthy causes in Tehachapi.

In January at our annual Installation of Officers and Directors Dinner, we hold a silent auction where 100% of the money raised goes to Scholarships for local High School Seniors. In May, at a breakfast in their honor, President Jim Hutson awarded scholarships to six seniors in the amount of $3,750. It is important to our community to invest in the furthering of the education of our young people.

In May the REALTORS® organized a Blush and Brush event to raise money to send a Tehachapi WWII Veteran on the Honor Flight to Washington DC. We had been told it would take about $1,500 to pay the expenses for one Veteran, so we set that as our goal. We had over 30 REALTORS® show up to paint for this worthy cause. Along with other donations we raised $1,550, reaching our goal. In August, one of our affiliate members reached out to us. Ron and Doris Depew, who both had fathers who were WWII veterans, wanted to donate an additional $1,500 to send a second Tehachapi Veteran to Washington DC.

The National Association of REALTORS® President Tom Salomone wanted REALTORS® nationwide to contribute time and money to the National Boys and Girls Club. Our local Association President, Jim Hutson wanted the funds to stay in Tehachapi, and knowing we don't have a local chapter of the Boys and Girls Club, chose to partner with our local Salvation Army. They provide an after school program for boys and girls which seemed a perfect fit. The REALTORS® and Affiliates once again worked together to raise money for the program provided by the Salvation Army. As of this writing they have collected $650 to be contributed to this worthy cause.

When the REALTORS® heard about the devastation of the Erskine Fire, they immediately wanted to reach out and help, as did so many in our community. Again partnering with the Salvation Army we began fundraising for the Erskine Fire on July 1 and to date the REALTORS® have raised $1,056 to help the Erskine fire victims.

It is always wonderful when we can contribute dollars when and where they are needed. This year the Tehachapi REALTOR® family has raised over $8,500. But just as important, many of our REALTORS® also contribute their time in our community. Volunteering at events, serving on boards for community organizations, coaching little league and soccer and helping with the homeless.

For REALTORS®, giving back to the community that we call home is very important.