William Raveis Real Estate was built on a strong foundation of care and compassion — and it’s this philosophy that is instilled in our agents across our nine-state footprint. Our agents truly become part of the fabric of their communities: Not only are they conducting business, they are paying it forward and giving back to their neighbors in need. To quote PBS’ Mr. Rogers: “When I was a boy and I would hear about something scary, my mother said, ‘Always look for the helpers. You will always find someone who is trying to help.”
This rings true now more than ever: We see the helpers everywhere in our company. We are so proud of our agents who have stepped up with care and compassion — whether it be supporting local businesses, delivering care packages, sewing masks or feeding hospital workers. Here are some inspiring examples of how your colleagues are assisting their communities.
William Raveis Marblehead’s top producing agent Jack Attridge, a lifelong Marblehead, Massachusetts resident, launched a new initiative in collaboration with a number of town departments and local non-profits, to assist residents in our community with needs from the pandemic. The first phase of the volunteer project was to recruit volunteers from local organizations to reach out to 650+ Marblehead residents over the age of 80 to check in, determine if they are safe, and figure out if they have basic needs that need attention. Calls were completed within 72 hours and now volunteers have been recruited to assist with groceries, pharmacy needs, setting up weekly calls, pen pals, pet needs and much more. The volunteer effort will continue weekly targeting another group of residents for calls, recruiting more volunteers and meeting any needs that arise. Jack hosts a weekly “Town Hall” with local leaders to share the latest information from the Health Department, Police Department and town officials via Facebook live. Enabling residents to gather information and plan for the next steps in pandemic preparations. For more information, click here.
In an effort to help the local shellfishing market in her hometown of Dennis, Massachusetts, coastal realtor, Katie Clancy of the Cape House team is working with these small business owners to bring shucking right to residents’ doorsteps. She’s working with the proprietors of East Dennis Oyster Company, John and Stephanie Lowell, to assemble and sell clam chowder kits for curbside pickup in Dennis. For $15 you get 12-14 chowder-size quahogs, six potatoes and a large onion. Call 508-451-3124 for information on ordering, payment and pickup.
Clancy, who is donating the vegetables, says the chowder kits started selling as soon as they were publicized on social media. The effort will continue so long as there are clams to fill the orders, she says.
Clancy says all proceeds will go to support a Dennis shellfisherman whose retail business has been impacted by COVID-19 quarantines. While a lot of people are feeling the effects, Clancy says she and the Lowells decided to start by helping one and seeing what grew from there.
“You know, like the story of starfish covering the beach and the guy who was walking along tossing as many as he could back into the water and saying, with each, ‘Helped that one.’” For more information, click here.
Hope Mazzola, a successful agent in Somers, New York, is part of a team of mothers lending a helping hand to those working hard on the front line of the pandemic. Nearly 2,000 women are collecting food and supplies to give to medical workers at area hospitals. She is one of the organizers, and she says the idea arose organically. “I posted on Somers Moms (Facebook group) and literally within minutes I had five sign-ups, 10 sign-ups,” she says.
What started as a plan to pick up groceries for seniors amid the coronavirus outbreak quickly grew into a well-thought-out gesture. The women deliver to area hospitals, like Northern Westchester Hospital in Mount Kisco, and first responders are beyond thankful. Mazzola says they have already collected a couple thousand dollars’ worth of goods and plan to keep going. To help, contact Hope.
Kevin Zettergren, the senior sales manager of Wethersfield, Connecticut, knew that they had to help so they decided to target heavy-hit Hartford Hospital as a group effort. “We wanted to support frontline workers in healthcare during this crisis, so we collected funds amongst ourselves in an effort to make this happen,” Kevin says. “The idea to supply a meal to some Hartford Hospital staff came pretty easily. We also wanted to help support small business at the same time and keep everything local if we could, so we chose a small restaurant in the area to coordinate food and delivery.” Since most hospitals have specific parameters for donated food, Kevin and his team were able to connect with small, family-run J’s Restaurant, which was conveniently located on the same block as the hospital. “They were knowledgeable about the food preparation parameters and delivery,” Kevin said. “The owner of J’s is also a resident of Wethersfield, so making this connection was an incredible experience for him, as well, to give back.”
In addition to facilitating food donations, Kevin also spoke with Carol Garlick, the Head of Philanthropy at Hartford Hospital, who is starting a fund to provide a new set of scrubs for nurses during Nurses Week at the beginning of May. Kevin explains, “Her challenge is to raise $75,000 for that endeavor, but I am happy to report that we raised extra funds and therefore we will be contributing approximately $500 to this also.” To assist Kevin and his team with this amazing effort, contact them here.
It doesn’t always have to be a big fundraiser, but just helping one or two people can make all the difference. Rebecca Knaster, a top-producing agent in hard-hit New York City is helping her elderly clients grocery shop every week. “I have wonderful neighbors in my high-rise co-op in Manhattan that have been clients of mine for 20 years. I am currently the exclusive broker for one of the units he wants to sell. His wife is ill. As a result of Covid 19 he has not been out of the apartment in almost a month. For the last two weeks, at my insistence, I have been going food shopping for them. He e-mails me a list and I leave it at their front door. They are both very special and it’s my pleasure to be able to assist them. I have reached out to other senior customers in my building to see if they need any assistance.”
Spreading cheer and positive thoughts is also a great way to help your fellow man during this time. Debbie Huscher, team leader of The Huscher Group in Middletown, Connecticut knows this, too, volunteering as the Marketing Coordinator for the Durham Fair, Connecticut’s largest Agricultural Fair. Her idea was to have the mascot of the fair, Marigold the Cow, (aka her 16-year old son volunteering for community service hours,) perform telegrams to spread joy around their community. “The response has been overwhelming,” she exclaimed, “and it all started with a little post on our local community group page. Yesterday we had eight visits, some birthdays and some pick-me-ups. Tomorrow, we will be giving toilet paper to seniors at their food bank pick-up and Tuesday we are doing a “Stay Strong” greeting to an 84-year-old woman who would have been celebrating her 64th wedding anniversary. Her husband passed four years ago and she is by herself at home.” You can watch some of Marigold the Cow’s visits on their YouTube page, by clicking here, here and here.
We are so proud of our agents that have helped out in their community. It’s a testament to their true characters and we couldn’t think of better people to have on our team, and part of our William Raveis family.