Title Alliance Employees and Friends Joined Together for “TA Gives Back,” a Virtual 5K to Benefit Feeding America

For the past three years Title Alliance, Ltd. (Title Alliance), a family of full-service title insurance and escrow agencies, hosts “TA Gives Back Week” where employees are encouraged to donate their time and focus on giving back. Typically, Title Alliance closes their offices across the nation for half the day to allow employees to work together on service projects specific to their local communities. This year, due to COVID-19, the company held a virtual 5K to benefit Feeding America, an organization determined to end hunger. With approximately 130 participants across 12 states, the company raised $20,000 to donate directly to Feeding America, enough money for 570 meals to be provided for families this Thanksgiving.

“Feeding America is doing so much for so many families during this pandemic and throughout the years. We at Title Alliance wanted to show our support by raising awareness and donations through a virtual 5K,” said Jim Campbell, Chief Executive Officer of Title Alliance. “We had such a great turn out this year, which really speaks to the passion of our employees who want to give back to their local communities and such a powerful organization.”

According to Feeding America, 1 in 8 people in the U.S., more than 41 million, are facing hunger and often forced to make choices between buying food and paying for other necessities, like rent and utility bills. The company is the nation’s largest hunger-relief organization, serves virtually every community in the United States, providing relief for approximately 40 million people, including 12 million children and 7 million seniors.

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Chicago Donates $40,000 to Local Food Pantries to Replace Holiday Party
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Chicago and the Kindness Foundation have announced $40,000 of giving to local food pantries in place of their annual company-wide holiday party. The branch offices are selecting the local pantries in the communities they serve.

Diane Glass, CEO, said, “Our tradition is to bring our entire company together for a holiday celebration and that isn’t possible this year. At the same time, there is more need in our communities than ever. We felt that we could show our agents and staff how much we care by doing something for our neighbors.” 

“It was very important to us to make a difference locally, so our offices will choose the food pantries to support.” added Mark Pasquesi, president. “From Chicago and the north and west suburbs, to the lake shore communities in Indiana and Michigan, we can help families put food on their tables this holiday season.”

Joe Stacy, senior vice president, general sales manager and Kindness Foundation chairman, added, “By making this impactful donation to our local food pantries, we are being safe and living the mission of our Kindness Foundation which is to support meaningful local initiatives that improve the communities we serve and enhance the quality of life for our fellow citizens.”

Special Needs Students Receive Big Gift following Donation Drive led by Jupiter Realtor Rob Thomson

As Jupiter High Students chanted “move that bus”, a 22-year-old faded and rusty yellow behemoth pulled forward to reveal a shiny new state of the art bus. It was a holiday gift following a multi-months donation drive and a generous contribution from Jupiter Realtor Rob Thomson of Waterfront Properties.

Rob Thomson, Realtor at Waterfront Properties with Jupiter High School Students as they place tag on the new bus.

Over $100,000 was raised for the Special Needs Bus by Rob Thomson and the Waterfront Way Foundation.

Last Year special needs students at Jupiter Community High School put out a call for help. The kids are part of the “exceptional student education program” which brings them to area businesses to learn about jobs and careers and also provides training. An aging bus with no access for wheelchair bound students, no air conditioning and a multitude of other issues made the trips nearly impossible. 

Jupiter Realtor Rob Thomson was touched by the story and immediately offered to match all donations. He also took on the role of chief fundraiser to help the students saying, “The most needy kids have the worst transportation.” Several months later Robs’ outreach to the community succeeded. Thomson’s Waterfront Way Foundation donated $53,500.00 matching all other donor contributions for a total of $107,000.00, enough to secure a new bus. Thomson appreciates the overwhelming response, “Thank-you to everyone who donated to ensure these wonderful children have the opportunities they deserve.”

The students are excited about their new ride and so is their teacher, Helene McAfee, who also drives the kids to local businesses. McAfee says she has a local hero who made it all possible, “Rob Thomson opened his heart. His leadership is the reason my kids now have a way to explore and embrace new experiences in Jupiter.”

Thomson joined the students to secure the license plate on the modern bus after receiving a plaque from the school recognizing his generosity. The new 2021 yellow bus seats 47, is specially equipped with a wheel chair lift and has air conditioning for those hot months. Jupiter High Principal Colleen Iannitti said she hoped Rob Thompson’s support would inspire others to become involved in the needs of their local schools and to take action as Rob did to ensure students have every advantage in their education. 

Mergers & Acquisitions

ERA INFINITY PROPERTIES MERGES WITH PRA & COMPANY REALTORS TO CREATE NEW GROWTH AND PROFITABILITY OPPORTUNITIES

RA Real Estate, a global franchising leader in the Realogy family of brands, announced today that ERA Infinity Properties, based in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., has merged with PRA & Company Realtors in Pompano Beach, creating new growth and profitability opportunities within Broward County. The combined company, which will retain the ERA Infinity Properties name, now has nearly 60 agents who were responsible for a combined $42 million in sales volume and 165 transactions in 2019.

ERA REAL ESTATE EXPANDS NORTH CAROLINA PRESENCE WITH AFFILIATION OF THE NESTING GROUP

ERA Real Estate, a global franchising leader within the Realogy family of brands, announces the affiliation of The Nesting Group today. The company, headquartered in Jacksonville, N.C., will now be known as The Nesting Group ERA Powered Real Estate.

The ERA Powered^® flexible branding option gives companies a choice to retain their local brand identity and benefit from the ERA^® brand’s full suite of learning, marketing and servicing resources.

Co-owners Sheila Garcia Holloway and Suzanne Barber founded the firm in 2017. Holloway is a lifelong resident of Jacksonville with deep knowledge of the market. Barber brings her 21-year career in human resources to support the company’s clients. Both have personal experience as military families, which uniquely positions the firm to provide an unparalleled level of support to military clients stationed in the area.

RedKey Realty Leaders Announces Program to Support Frontline Medical Workers

RedKey Realty Leaders, a St. Louis-based independent real estate firm, is launching a new charitable giving program pledging to provide meals during the months of December, January, and February to frontline medical workers in the area. 

RedKey Realty will donate one meal to the Kindness Meals program for every closing completed by RedKey agents. In addition, a matching program with agents and partners will increase the number of meals donated over the winter months. 

“We wanted to do something to show our frontline medical workers how much we appreciate them,” said Jill Butler, CEO and Founder of RedKey. “We just love the work that Kindness Meals St. Louis is doing to not only show love to these local heroes, but to support our great local restaurants and give the community an easy and meaningful way to show gratitude.”

Kindness Meals St. Louis began as a response to the extreme demands on local hospital staff stemming from the Covid-19 pandemic. Park Central Development began the program in March 2020, partnering with WUMCRC, STL MADE and other stakeholders to support staff at BJC, SLU and Cardinal Glennon with hot, fresh meals from local restaurants. Six months later, the organization has donated 9,507 meals and counting. With Covid-19 cases rising and hospital staff working overtime, the need is greater than ever.

“Kindness Meals St. Louis is such a great program because it allows us to contribute while respecting everyone’s need to social distance,” said Butler. “We often wonder what we can do from our homes to support people that can’t be in theirs. This program is a wonderful way to bring our local heroes some comfort this season.”

If you would like to donate to Kindness Meals St. Louis, visit their website kindnessmealsstl.com for a simple, online donation portal. Or, engage a RedKey agent for your home buying or selling adventure. For more information on RedKey Realty, visit redkeystlouis.com.