THE 2018 NVAR CARES COMMITTEE considered proposals for funding from local nonprofits and made decisions to donate time and money totaling $41,000 based on each mission’s alignment with NVAR’s strategic goals. The largest donation went to the Habitat for Humanity Over the Edge fundraiser, for which NVAR was the Media Day Sponsor. The committee also sponsored a Habitat build day.

For the first time, the NVAR Cares Committee hosted a fundraiser, “Party with a Purpose,” at the Paradise Springs Winery in Clifton on Nov. 8, 2018.

“The NVAR Cares Committee is proud to build partnerships with organizations that share our mission of helping the community,” said 2018 NVAR Cares Committee Chair Marriah Unruh said. “We are honored to give to local nonprofits that help so many people who need immediate assistance. The passionate, devoted members of this committee have been very inspirational. They are a special, generous group of people.”

Said 2018 NVAR President of the Board Lorraine Arora, “As an association of professionals who are dedicated to helping achieve their dreams of homeownership, it is important that we also help those who are not as fortunate as our clients and our members. The NVAR Cares Committee oversees our association’s vetting of qualified charities that will truly serve the underserved right in our own backyards. We are not only about the bottom line: we believe in corporate social responsibility.”

The 2018 NVAR Cares Committee recipients are:

1. Alliance for Housing Solutions
2. Brain Foundation
3. Chimes Virginia
4. Culpepper Garden
5. DC Candlelighters
6. First Home Alliance
7. Good Shepherd Housing
8. Graham Road Elementary School
9. Habitat for Humanity of Northern Virginia
10. HomeAid
11. Homestretch
12. Neighborhood Health
13. Northern Virginia Mental Health Foundation
14. Pathway Homes
15. PHILLIPS Programs for Children and Families
16. Psychiatric Rehabilitation Services (PRS)
17. Shelter House
18. Wholehearted Foundation
19. Women Giving Back

At the Nov. 8 NVAR Cares Party with a Purpose, NVAR leaders celebrating are (l – r) 2017 NVAR President Bob Adamson, 2018 NVAR Co-Chair Mary Ann Burstein, Secretary Treasurer Nicholas Lagos, 2018 NVAR President Lorraine Arora, 2009 Past Chair Susan Mekenney, Board Member Peter Nguyen, National Association of Realtors® CEO Bob Goldberg, 2018 Board Member Dallison Veach and 2018 NVAR Cares Chair Marriah Unruh.

 

On April 6, 2018, Habitat for Humanity of Northern Virginia honored Dr. Richard Semmler (middle) for his generous, ongoing donations to the nonprofit. At the groundbreaking ceremonies for the 100th Habitat NOVA home in Alexandria were (l – r) 2018 NVAR President Lorraine Arora and 2018 NVAR Cares Committee Co- Chair Mary Ann Burstein.

At the Party with a Purpose fundraiser on Nov. 8, the 2018 NVAR Cares Committee welcomed 170+ attendees, all of whom contributed to donations for Good Shepherd Housing, Habitat for Humanity, Homestretch, Pathway Homes and Shelter House.

Working at a Habitat for Humanity Northern Virginia build site in August, these hardworking NVAR Cares Team members are: (l – r)  Jerry Hodges; NVAR CEO Ryan Conrad; NVAR Manager, Shop Realtor®  Program Jina Myers; Karlene Tolbert; 2018 NVAR Cares Committee Chair Marriah Unruh; Angela Sherril and Margory NunezLiza.

At the Habitat for Humanity Over the Edge Fundraiser Media Day on May 18, 2018 (l – r): Habitat NOVA Chief Executive Officer Rev. Jon Smoot, 2009 NVAR President Susan Mekenney, NVAR Cares staff liaison Jill Parker Landsman, 2018 NVAR Cares Co-Chair Mary Ann Burstein, NVAR Cares Committee members Karlene Tolbert and Clarry Ellis help kick off the H4H rappelling event at the Hilton headquarters in McLean.

 

2017 NVAR President Bob Adamson congratulates the selected family who received a Habitat for Humanity of Northern Virginia home. Adamson and this family assembled at the Sportrock Climbing Center in the early morning to help promote H4H NOVA’s Over the Edge Fundraiser campaign. Adamson scaled a rock wall just before this photo and was interviewed by a Channel 7 reporter to talk about NVAR’s support for this fundraiser. Habitat’s Over the Edge event took place in May in Tysons Corner.