It’s hard to believe but the holidays are officially upon us – whether or not we’re ready for them. As the 2022 president of Greater Chattanooga Realtors, I’m proud of the many ways our Realtors and association have given back to our area.
In 2022, Greater Chattanooga Realtors continued its financial commitment to the Snack Pack Food Ministry, one of the association’s community partners. With a $10,000 annual donation and a successful (and fun) trivia night, Realtors raised more than $35,600 for this worthy cause.
The Snack Pack Food Ministry feeds nearly 2,500 food-insecure children in 22 Hamilton County schools every weekend while school is in session. This organization adds so much value to the quality of life of those in need in our community.
We’re also delighted that planning has already begun with our other community partner, Habitat for Humanity of Greater Chattanooga Area, for Tee Up and Wine Down in 2023. We’ll be sure to announce details as they’re confirmed.
Another highlight for our association this year was donating $10,000 to Wreaths Across Chattanooga. This organization aims to place a wreath on the grave of each veteran who served our nation – and Realtors are honored to help.
Greater Chattanooga Realtors also made a $10,000 donation to the Realtor Relief Fund, which helped many in our community after tornadoes struck northern Tennessee in December 2020.
One of the newest community endeavors for Greater Chattanooga Realtors is its Placemaking Committee. Now in its second year, the committee takes on projects that transform underutilized and blighted spaces into safer, vibrant and active public places for Chattanooga and Hamilton County.
Greater Chattanooga Realtors requests applications and then reviews the requests. It then gives funds, as well as money from an NAR grant, to one local organization.
Our local Realtors also pitch in on completing the chosen project. This year, we assisted the Lookout Mountain Conservancy on the St. Elmo Trail Conservation project and connector to the Guild-Hardy Trail.
As much as our association is doing for others locally, I find it remarkable that charitable giving has increased in the Realtor community nationwide. A recent report from the National Association of Realtors shows a measurable increase in Realtor giving and volunteering.
Two out of three Realtors volunteered monthly and spent an average of eight hours volunteering each month – figures that have remained steady since 2018. In addition, 79% of Realtors made charitable donations last year.
This report – the Community Aid and Real Estate Report – offers insight into the monetary and volunteer contributions of NAR members, broker-owners and association executives or multiple listing service staff.
This year’s CARE Report found that the median donation by Realtor associations was $12,070 last year, compared to $10,000 in 2020 and $5,000 in 2018.
NAR President Leslie Rouda Smith says this report shines a light on the outstanding volunteer efforts of its members. “It’s inspiring to see Realtor associations across the country continue to boost local charitable efforts. I’m proud to be part of such a compassionate and caring group.”
So, while Realtors focus on the real estate needs of their own communities, it’s clear they’re making a difference across the nation. Greater Chattanooga Realtors is proud to be part of this effort to serve our neighbors.
Realtors love and work where they live. That’s Who We R.
Founded in 1912, Greater Chattanooga Realtors is the voice for real estate in Greater Chattanooga. A regional organization with more than 2,700 members, Greater Chattanooga Realtors serves Hamilton and Sequatchie counties in southeast Tennessee and Catoosa, Dade and Walker counties in northwest Georgia. The association is one of approximately 1,100 local associations and boards of Realtors nationwide that comprise the National Association of Realtors. Greater Chattanooga Realtors owns and operates a Multiple Listing Service that is one of approximately 600 MLSs in the country and services more than 3,000 MLS users. Local association membership consists of Realtors servicing the Greater Chattanooga area and specializing in a variety of disciplines, including appraisal, commercial, industrial, land, multifamily, property management and residential. Affiliate members who represent related industries work alongside these Realtors, including mortgage lenders, home inspectors, title and closing services, pest inspection and control services and insurance providers.