Los Gatos Weekly-Times
Homes
The Real Deal
Realtors help keep people in home
A home is more than a building filled with clothing and furniture; it's a special place where people can feel secure, with a sense of privacy and belonging. To combat homelessness in the area, the Silicon Valley Association of Realtors holds "Home for the Holidays" each year.
The ninth annual "Home for the Holidays," a benefit auction hosted by the Realtor group's HIF Benefit Committee, will take place on Oct. 12, 5:30-10:30 p.m., at The Avalon Club in Santa Clara. Coldwell Banker of Northern California, Home Loan Experts/A Division of World Savings, Siamack Shariat/Banker's Network and Keller Williams Realty (Cupertino and Palo Alto offices) are major sponsors.
Home for the Holidays is the association's largest charitable event of the year, according to Realtors Robert Reid and Dale Anne Collings, co-chairs of the event. Reid and Collings have been involved with the event since it started. The event ushers in the holiday season, featuring a Halloween theme and an evening that includes a gourmet buffet, live and silent auctions, a raffle, live music and dancing. The event's name was coined because funds raised are used for housing assistance and the fundraiser is organized by individuals who either sell homes or provide services to those who sell homes.
Funds from Home for the Holidays go directly to the Housing Industry Foundation, a nonprofit charity that helps individuals and families in Santa Clara and San Mateo counties either remain in or return to stable housing. Emergency housing grants are at the core of HIF's homeless prevention program. These grants assist households with rent, mortgage, utilities, security deposits and certain repairs on a one-time emergency basis.
"An occasional crisis is part of life. We all have to face them. But for a single adult or family living on a very limited income, there is often little reserve to get past an emergency situation," explained Debbie Wade, executive director of the Housing Industry Foundation. "The first crisis often brings another one, resulting in the inability to pay the rent, mortgage or utilities. Our goal is to help them so they don't lose their housing and to give them an opportunity to make whatever changes they can so that they will be prepared when the next crisis occurs."
Since its inception in 1989, HIF, which is supported by apartment owners, builders, Realtors, mortgage bankers, accountants, attorneys, insurance companies and other related businesses, has assisted more than 3,400 families and individuals with emergency housing assistance grants totaling more than $2.5 million.
"Home for the Holidays is a very important event and a major source of funds for HIF. It provides 20 percent of our budget," Wade said. Each of the last three years, SILVAR Realtors and affiliates contributed more than $100,000 to HIF.
"HIF's mission in keeping people in their homes goes right to the heart of our industry. We hope to continue to maintain, if not exceed our level of support this year," Reid said.
"Home for the Holidays is special because the funds we raise from the event and through sponsorships go directly to HIF programs, stay in the local communities and go to very deserving people," added Collings.
Everyone involved in the benefit says it's a lot of work, but it's a great party for a great cause. It means families in crisis will have a home for the holidays.
Sponsors at all levels are still needed, as well as donations for auction and raffle items. For sponsorships/donations or tickets, contact Collings at 408.861.8806, or Reid at 650.454.8555, or SILVAR development director Kelly Dadsetan at 408.200.0100.
Information provided in this column is presented by the Realtor members of the Silicon Valley Association of Realtors at www.silvar.org. Send questions on any topic to rmeily@silvar.org.
