WASHINGTON, D.C. – (RealEstateRama) — Southfield, MI: The Greater Metropolitan Association of REALTORS® (GMAR), the top local association of REALTORS® in the state of Michigan, held its second annual “Gives Thanks” party on November 18 at Punch Bowl Social Detroit. The party celebrated and honored service men and women and veterans, as well as the entire GMAR membership. This was the second fundraiser of the year to raise enough money to train a medical service dog to assist a Michigan military veteran through Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs.
The dog was chosen, Cobalt Realtor® Blue, and the price was set at $22,000. Considering in year’s past GMAR had only raised around $6,000 for their charities, it was a lofty goal. At the annual Golf Outing in September, GMAR raised $6,000. Over 300 members, friends, and family members turned out for the party. Even with all the ticket sales and raffle prizes, it appeared they wouldn’t make it. Then, one real estate broker anteed up $1,000, and challenged his peers to do the same. Another, gave, then another, and another. Before the night was over, the tally was in. GMAR raised exactly $22,000!
GMAR sends special thanks to the following for their substantial contributions: Carol Boji of ReMax Classic, Rick Linnell, John McCardle, Kathy Coon of Real Living Great Lakes, Brenda & Brendan Brosnan, John North of Coldwell Banker Weir Manuel, James Cristbrook of Shain Park Realtors®, Doug Whitehouse of Berkshire Hathaway Home Services, John Meesseman of Real Living Kee Realty, Gary Reggish of Remerica United, Keller Williams Lakeside, Christopher Ayers, Bob Struck of Changing Places Moving, and WCR Rochester.
GMAR President Debbie Zalewski said “I couldn’t be more proud to see so many of my peers and friends stepping up to save the life of a Michigan veteran.” Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs Founder and CEO Carol Borden informed attendants that 22 vets suffering from PTSD succeed in taking their life each day, and that 90% of married vets suffering from PTSD divorce. She said that when paired with a Guardian Angels Medical Service Dog, both of those rates drop to ZERO.
The Association is very proud of its compassionate members for both volunteering their time to put on such a wildly successful event and for raising the most money GMAR has ever donated to charity in a year. REALTORS® truly do make a difference in the communities they serve, in more ways than one might imagine.
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About GMAR: The Greater Metropolitan Association of REALTORS® (GMAR) is the premier Association of REALTORS® in Southeast Michigan, providing services and support to the real estate profession and the communities they serve. With over 7,000 members, GMAR is the largest local REALTOR® association in the state. GMAR provides many benefits to its members, such as access to the MLS, over 220 quality continuing education and designation courses per year, the largest REALTOR® specific store in the area, the ToolShop™, Metropolitan Minute weekly newsletter and Metropolitan REALTOR® monthly electronic magazine. GMAR’s mission is to be the leading resource for the real estate community in Southeast Michigan. Visit www.GMARonline.com to learn more.
For media inquiries contact: Tim Likes, GMAR Communications Director, (248) 522-0338 |
