By Mark Hite, President
Greater Chattanooga REALTORS®
In addition to assisting buyers and sellers of real estate, Greater Chattanooga REALTORS® is committed to giving back to our community.
The largest ongoing community partnership we are committed to is with Habitat for Humanity of Greater Chattanooga Area. This relationship has several components, the first of which is in support of Habitat ReStore trucks. Greater Chattanooga REALTORS® annually contribute $5,000 toward these trucks which pick up donations for Habitat ReStores, located at 1150 E 14th St. in Chattanooga and 9408 Apison Pike in Ooltewah. Anyone wishing to donate items to the stores, simply needs to call ahead and schedule a pick up.
In addition to contributing to Habitat, during 2017 local REALTORS® physically assisted in the construction of new homes and in neighborhood revitalization programs which contribute to the ongoing process of making our beautiful city—and it’s neighborhoods—even more beautiful. There was a total of 10 days designated for REALTORS® to join in these efforts over the course of the year.
Tee Up and Wine Down for Habitat is a biennial golf tournament plus silent and live auctions, held by Greater Chattanooga REALTORS® to raise funds to help Habitat build a new, local home. The next Tee Up and Wine Down for Habitat is set for May 7, 2018 at Black Creek Golf Course. REALTORS® are working now to secure sponsorships for this event, which is critical to Habitat’s 2018 annual budget. The goal for 2018 is to exceed the $73,000 raised in the inaugural fund raiser. Anyone wishing to learn more about how they can join Greater Chattanooga REALTORS® in supporting Habitat can call 423.756.0507 or email dbrandt@habichatt.org.
Greater Chattanooga REALTORS® also partners with a local group to provide “Snack Packs” for more than 1,000 Hamilton County School Children each week. This partnership began in 2016 with a $20,000 contribution and $10,000 is contributed in subsequent years. REALTORS® and community volunteers gather the first Wednesday of each month at East Brainerd Church of Christ to assemble snack packs for the coming month. Anyone interested in joining this ongoing effort can contact the REALTORS® office 423.698.8001 for additional details.
The Northwest Georgia Council of the Greater Chattanooga REALTORS® is supporting students in need, in community schools as well. The NWGA Council held a school supply drive Fall 2017 with those items collected being delivered to Catoosa, Dade and Walker School Board offices for distribution as needed in December which is when schools and teachers begin running low on school supplies.
While these are examples of how Greater Chattanooga REALTORS®, as an organization gives back to the communities we serve, one will not have to look hard to find a local real estate office or individual agent giving back and volunteering their time and resources across our region.